tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-77572554101487728622018-03-05T09:13:14.537-08:00A Bit About UsA Bit About Us: A little about life and everything in-betweenMelissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04874196097624413254noreply@blogger.comBlogger133125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7757255410148772862.post-84100700581294538052015-03-31T07:47:00.001-07:002015-04-02T10:50:27.131-07:00The Heavens Declare...<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">**My blog has moved to&nbsp;</span><a href="http://chroniclesofakeeper.com/" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;" target="_blank">ChroniclesofaKeeper.com</a><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">**</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-lvibsA_Ruyk/VRqzk2PE4XI/AAAAAAAABUQ/zuypFqjSQRk/s640/blogger-image--1377662986.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-lvibsA_Ruyk/VRqzk2PE4XI/AAAAAAAABUQ/zuypFqjSQRk/s640/blogger-image--1377662986.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">This verse was our CC memory work for science last week. (Which was a welcome<span class="apple-converted-space">&nbsp;</span><i>relief<span class="apple-converted-space">&nbsp;</span></i>from the periodic table.<span class="apple-converted-space">&nbsp;</span><i>*shudder*)</i><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="separator" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">Every day we would take a moment to go outside just to marvel at the handiwork of God. We would discuss how God's glory was being declared by what we were seeing in the sky. God's glory.&nbsp;<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="separator" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">I love how Lil' Man's tutor explained it to the kids, "The glory of God is His goodness and greatness".&nbsp;<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="separator" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"></div><div class="separator" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">Although we enjoyed some pretty awesome night skies and there were some really great scenes in the sky during the afternoon, the sunsets were definitely our favorite. &nbsp;All the beautiful colors of His artistic hand. Simply breathtaking.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-t604YQ5Nw4s/VRsAlTfofFI/AAAAAAAABUg/OvO0Gd3FTXI/s640/blogger-image-801537754.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-t604YQ5Nw4s/VRsAlTfofFI/AAAAAAAABUg/OvO0Gd3FTXI/s320/blogger-image-801537754.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">Lil' Man definitely is an appreciator of the arts. He loves to draw, paint and color. He also loves learning about different artists and their styles of painting. I was surprised at how much he paid attention during the art portion of CC. He thoroughly enjoyed learning about a specific artist each week.&nbsp;<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><br /></span></div><div class="" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">I felt like the connection to convey the verse we were discussing for the week with what he understood and enjoys was perfect.&nbsp;One day, I commented on how the sky looked like a beautiful painting. He looked up at it for awhile and then turned to me and said that, "It is like Claude Monet, but better, because it is God".<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"></div><div class="" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">God's glory is declared all around us. Be purposeful to pause and observe the declaration of His goodness and greatness.&nbsp;Last week, all we had to do was look up at the sky to be&nbsp;reminded.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div>Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04874196097624413254noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7757255410148772862.post-79374181543616896982015-03-30T20:00:00.001-07:002015-04-02T10:54:32.495-07:00Pressing On: Week 4 C25K<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">**My blog has moved to&nbsp;</span><a href="http://chroniclesofakeeper.com/" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;" target="_blank">ChroniclesofaKeeper.com</a><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">**</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-5FHTfmbZWsU/VRoNweAJYmI/AAAAAAAABT4/6yrCF4JtIn8/s640/blogger-image--1214601473.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-5FHTfmbZWsU/VRoNweAJYmI/AAAAAAAABT4/6yrCF4JtIn8/s640/blogger-image--1214601473.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">This, my friends, happened.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I didn't even cheat on the time spent for the jogging portion.&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Most people may snicker when seeing this. But people, listen. My lungs have the air capacity as that of a mouse. Seriously. The hardest part of running for me is the breathing. It is physically <i>painful.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I was so thrilled that I actually completed the whole workout for today. <i>That never happens.</i>&nbsp;I have been very wish-washy in the use of my C25K app.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Today though, even my goats and chickens were cheering me on.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">These three sat here and watched me the entire time.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-IUV0AuKGV5M/VRoNtJuFWWI/AAAAAAAABTg/LAgl62V4qtY/s640/blogger-image--1423845072.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-IUV0AuKGV5M/VRoNtJuFWWI/AAAAAAAABTg/LAgl62V4qtY/s640/blogger-image--1423845072.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Galina even tried to run beside me (or from me) at one point.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-WFm408cNwgc/VRoNsIA-rlI/AAAAAAAABTY/1EWet9e510w/s640/blogger-image-57913070.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-WFm408cNwgc/VRoNsIA-rlI/AAAAAAAABTY/1EWet9e510w/s640/blogger-image-57913070.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The goats ran and did some crazy little jigs everytime I circled their area.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-3ZvlwCgScmg/VRoNxr9d3vI/AAAAAAAABUA/lj_ddRlwsuU/s640/blogger-image--1221625375.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-3ZvlwCgScmg/VRoNxr9d3vI/AAAAAAAABUA/lj_ddRlwsuU/s640/blogger-image--1221625375.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-08GfEMZ3vPA/VRoNvDdwy5I/AAAAAAAABTw/fvq0Oiq7sH0/s640/blogger-image--452146557.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-08GfEMZ3vPA/VRoNvDdwy5I/AAAAAAAABTw/fvq0Oiq7sH0/s640/blogger-image--452146557.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I love my little cheering section.&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">My favorite part of the run, was the last 5 minutes. I soooo wanted to cheat and make those 5 minutes quickly turn to 1 minute on my app. As a last minute push to get through the end of my run, I pulled up my iTunes playlist.&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I really need to get some running songs. I was in the same situation I wrote about last time. I decided to roll with it.&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I turned Lauren Daigle's "How Can It Be" up and pushed myself through those last 5 minutes. I ran. It hurt, but I ran.&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">And just before the point of death...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-McGa-DE8lzs/VRoNuLLR2gI/AAAAAAAABTo/pWkLzYfLVaM/s640/blogger-image-2144180820.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-McGa-DE8lzs/VRoNuLLR2gI/AAAAAAAABTo/pWkLzYfLVaM/s640/blogger-image-2144180820.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">&nbsp;I dragged my weary body to my husband and said "I did it! I actually ran for 16 (albeit, non-consecutive) minutes!". Y'all, that is <i>the</i>&nbsp;most my body has ran in many moons.&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><br /><br /><br />Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04874196097624413254noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7757255410148772862.post-76379899852689383712015-03-27T20:18:00.001-07:002015-04-02T10:51:11.214-07:00Friday Favorites<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">**My blog has moved to&nbsp;</span><a href="http://chroniclesofakeeper.com/" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;" target="_blank">ChroniclesofaKeeper.com</a><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">**</span></span><br /><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">1. I have a new hair product that I am absolutely crazy about.&nbsp;</span><br /><div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-aG5RzgaQno0/VRYdkQFNLgI/AAAAAAAABS0/Z0L6yVLRHoE/s640/blogger-image--1383911760.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-aG5RzgaQno0/VRYdkQFNLgI/AAAAAAAABS0/Z0L6yVLRHoE/s640/blogger-image--1383911760.jpg" /></a></div><br /></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I bought it for Miss Priss and those wild and crazy curls she so appropriately sports. I love how it keeps her curly&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">locks soft and manageable without doing them any damage or taking away from their natural beauty.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br /></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">2. I love this sweet little guy. His smiley face in the midst of a day that was...a <i>little</i> maddening was just the relief I needed.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br /></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-wkfFDE2vfBE/VRYdiyfCCuI/AAAAAAAABSs/xruu_UlLc9M/s640/blogger-image--650196222.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-wkfFDE2vfBE/VRYdiyfCCuI/AAAAAAAABSs/xruu_UlLc9M/s640/blogger-image--650196222.jpg" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">3. These make me so happy.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-28KTufCEbh4/VRYdh6cHtjI/AAAAAAAABSk/ZGH8VsFvfCE/s640/blogger-image-1033309240.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-28KTufCEbh4/VRYdh6cHtjI/AAAAAAAABSk/ZGH8VsFvfCE/s640/blogger-image-1033309240.jpg" /></a></span></div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I don't know&nbsp;<i>what</i>&nbsp;they put on these pads. I do know, that they make my life so much easier and my bathroom so much brighter.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">4. This week, Zyrtec definitely climbs to the top of my favorites. Yes, it most definitely is a favorite of mine this week. My eyes are no longer looking all red and puffy, my nose isn't constantly sniffling, and I am no longer sneezing a million times a minute. What a relief!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">5. Date night. Nothing says date night more than dinner and a movie...at home. Johnny Carino's to go, a rented movie on the Roku and <i>all</i> the kids in their beds for the night makes for a perfect little "night in" for me and the hubs. I love that Carino's offers their yumminess curbside.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-cCimuskucA8/VRYdgs7Gc5I/AAAAAAAABSc/j8PaYV_gSZM/s640/blogger-image--1790827341.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-cCimuskucA8/VRYdgs7Gc5I/AAAAAAAABSc/j8PaYV_gSZM/s640/blogger-image--1790827341.jpg" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Well, there you have it. My top five Friday Favorites.&nbsp;</span></div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br /></span></div></div>Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04874196097624413254noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7757255410148772862.post-71767694231819699362015-03-26T15:18:00.001-07:002015-04-02T10:51:29.106-07:00The Reluctant Homesteader: Spring.<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">**My blog has moved to&nbsp;</span><a href="http://chroniclesofakeeper.com/" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;" target="_blank">ChroniclesofaKeeper.com</a><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">**</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Well, spring has sure made a grand entrance. The temperature has been perfect, my allergies have been miserable and the storm season has already began to flex its power. I definitely have a love-hate relationship with this season.</span><br /><div><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I love the freshness of spring - &nbsp;the blooming of flowers and the mild warmth of the sun.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I hate the misery of spring - the wretchedness of allergies and the terror of severe weather.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I had planned on working on my garden this week...but due to ridiculously-out-of-control allergies, I have not been able to do&nbsp;<i>anything </i>in my garden.&nbsp;Not&nbsp;even plant my onion sets.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">They are just hanging out in the mudroom&nbsp;<i>waiting</i>&nbsp;to be planted.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-JDtbQSfMdUc/VRSFM8MWyVI/AAAAAAAABRU/qmXJn8VhXQU/s640/blogger-image--524977403.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-JDtbQSfMdUc/VRSFM8MWyVI/AAAAAAAABRU/qmXJn8VhXQU/s320/blogger-image--524977403.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Hopefully, tomorrow, I will be able to get out there and get something done in my garden.&nbsp;</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The chickens have been enjoying the warmer weather. I decided that one of my hens must particularly be fond of the change of seasons, because...I have a new layer. Yay!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I am so happy to have a brown egg layer again.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-ryQByFPhfTo/VRSFnjI2STI/AAAAAAAABRc/NZq1bvVsnn8/s640/blogger-image-1624000161.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-ryQByFPhfTo/VRSFnjI2STI/AAAAAAAABRc/NZq1bvVsnn8/s640/blogger-image-1624000161.jpg" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">However, as much as they enjoy the warmer weather, they are definitely not a fan of the rain. Poor girls, two of them did not make it inside the coop last night when the torrential rain came pouring down. They are fine, just a little irked by the whole situation.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The goats are doing well. I think I finally have solved the lice issue. (Bleh) I decided it would be best to just clip away Josie's hair and give her another good dusting of diatomaceous earth. Hopefully it will work. I really don't want to wash her down with any pesticide shampoo.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Of course, she may actually prefer the shampoo after experiencing me clipping away all her hair. If you are wondering, it is definitely not easy to hold onto a goat with one hand and use clippers to cut the goats hair with the other hand. She <i>might</i>&nbsp;be a little patchy in spots.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ht4hds8WVZo/VRSQAGEydlI/AAAAAAAABR0/s0_s33DgO54/s1600/blogger-image-1005031988.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="257" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ht4hds8WVZo/VRSQAGEydlI/AAAAAAAABR0/s0_s33DgO54/s320/blogger-image-1005031988.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The clippers? Oh, I borrowed my husband's clippers. He informed me that they are now to only be used for the goats and I am to order him a new set of clippers. I can't imagine why he would not want to cut his hair with those clippers anymore???</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ht4hds8WVZo/VRSQAGEydlI/AAAAAAAABR0/s0_s33DgO54/s640/blogger-image-1005031988.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"></span></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Shiloh thinks she got out of the clipper experience.&nbsp;</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-axoohn7_748/VRSQBpYZYWI/AAAAAAAABR8/gSbd5VnHWmk/s640/blogger-image--431250384.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" height="318" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-axoohn7_748/VRSQBpYZYWI/AAAAAAAABR8/gSbd5VnHWmk/s320/blogger-image--431250384.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">She will soon discover that she has no reason to look so smug.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">These goats. So cute.&nbsp;</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-MsTru-IDcfw/VRSQEPMXw7I/AAAAAAAABSM/z5HowciX7E0/s640/blogger-image-1949792767.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-MsTru-IDcfw/VRSQEPMXw7I/AAAAAAAABSM/z5HowciX7E0/s320/blogger-image-1949792767.jpg" width="319" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-a-9FBuicjIU/VRSQC0yOlrI/AAAAAAAABSE/PGzb34pY2AY/s640/blogger-image-1482152969.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-a-9FBuicjIU/VRSQC0yOlrI/AAAAAAAABSE/PGzb34pY2AY/s320/blogger-image-1482152969.jpg" width="240" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Shiloh thinks the "duck face" is way overrated. She has been working on her "fish face".&nbsp;</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-dji70L0bYl8/VRSP-o74yPI/AAAAAAAABRs/8bRiLqcMvgE/s640/blogger-image--1019787607.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-dji70L0bYl8/VRSP-o74yPI/AAAAAAAABRs/8bRiLqcMvgE/s320/blogger-image--1019787607.jpg" width="240" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Happy Spring, y'all!</span></div>Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04874196097624413254noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7757255410148772862.post-49241803325804467702015-03-24T19:54:00.000-07:002015-04-02T10:50:06.559-07:00Waiting For That Still Small Voice...<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">**My blog has moved to&nbsp;<a href="http://chroniclesofakeeper.com/" target="_blank">ChroniclesofaKeeper.com</a>**</span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">You know that little hamster running his little heart out on that little wheel? That is pretty similar to how my mind works. It just spins away...constantly. Seriously, it never stops.</span><br /><div><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Sometimes I will ask my husband what he is thinking about. There are times when he says, "nothing"...and means it. What?</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I simply don't understand this.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">My mind always has something to think about. The nights are the worst. No children to interrupt and distract my whirling mind.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">And not to sound all crazy...but conversations? Yes, I have them in my mind sometimes too. <i>Maybe</i> it is because of the lack of adult interaction on a day to day basis. Who knows.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">In case you are wondering, I have mentally planned conversations for, but not limited to, the following situations -&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">1. If I should be chosen to be on The Voice. <i>I still haven't decided whose team I will be on...decisions, decisions.</i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">2. Acceptance speech for when I make head detective (based on my countless years of watching Law and Order). &nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">3. My interview with Matt Lauer about my new best-selling book.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">4. The witty banter that will be had when Jimmy Fallon decides to have me on as a guest...no reason, just because.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">5. When I give my "about me" speech while participating on Wheel of Fortune.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Embarrassing? Yes, I'm sure it is. Oh well, it keeps me entertained while I am cleaning out the chicken coop and goat barn.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">A few weeks ago in my Bible study (Called to be a Keeper by Lori Merrill) we covered the topic of prayer. While I initially felt pretty good going into that week's particular topic...it only took me a minute to realize I was missing a pretty big and important piece.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div><div><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Listening.</span></i></div><div><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The last year or so, I made it a point to focus more on my prayer life. Talking to God was going to be more of a priority. I didn't want it to be just after devotions, before meals and at bedtime.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">It has been awesome. Because now, I talk to God...a lot. And, y'all, it is so good.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">In fact, I am ever so thankful that He is God and is <i>not</i> like me. If I had to listen to me as often as He does...I would probably hit the mute button and let me ramble on while I go and take care of other pressing matters.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I'm thankful that He, instead,&nbsp;<i>wants</i>&nbsp;to hear from me...and often.</span></div><div><i><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; text-indent: 25.920001983642578px;"><br /></span></i></div><div><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; text-indent: 25.920001983642578px;">Rejoice always, p</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; text-indent: 25.920001983642578px;">ray without ceasing,&nbsp;</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; text-indent: 25.920001983642578px;">give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)</span></span></i></div><div><i><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; text-indent: 25.920001983642578px;"><br /></span></i></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; text-indent: 25.920001983642578px;">So now, that little mind of mine is still constantly going. But more often than not, now I am having many little conversations with God. You know, instead of with the coaches from The Voice or Mariska Hargitay.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Which brings me back to the thing which is <i>listening.&nbsp;</i></span></div><div><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></i></div><div><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">You see, in my valiant effort to talk to God more, I was neglecting the whole <i>listening</i> part of the conversation. Mainly, because it is <i>hard</i>. Making time to do nothing but listen, is hard. Waiting for God, sometimes, is hard.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Over the last few weeks I have made a conscious effort to make time in my crazy day to just <i>sit</i> and be <i>silent</i>. Clearing my mind of all the thoughts that are running around and not trying to "speak" for God, but to just be still before the Lord.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I am learning that no matter what I have going on or no matter what I am doing making that time for Him is <i>worth</i> it. The value of that time with Him is immeasurable.</span></div><div><b style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></b></div><div><b style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">One whisper from God is more precious than any stone you may ever be given.</span></b></div><div><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">He is so good. I already knew this. I am still awed, though, by the ways in which He has revealed Himself to me these last few weeks. It has been nothing short of amazing.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I think we sometimes equate waiting to hear from God with some sort of major life decision. It often comes naturally<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">&nbsp;to make time to listen to God when big decisions are being made...such as - if it is time to buy a house, go on a missions trip, add to your family, move states, get a new job, and the list goes on and on. What we miss, is all the other times He is wanting to talk to us.</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">He wants to be a part of our whole life...not just the decision making part of our life.&nbsp;<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">He has shown me that He cares.&nbsp;</span><b style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Even in the little mundane things of life, He cares and is faithful</b><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">.&nbsp;</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Listening.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I know it is&nbsp;<i>so</i>&nbsp;hard sometimes (most of the time). Believe me, I <i>get it.&nbsp;</i>I have a husband, three kids, 8 chickens and two goats. <i>Time </i>for listening seems unattainable.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Here are some ways I have found to make time to <i>listen</i> that work for me. Not every way will work every time. That is why I have a list (one that will continue to grow, I'm sure).&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">1. Get up earlier. Before the hustle and bustle of the day begins, I just focus on Him. Clearing my mind of all other thoughts and <i>listen</i>.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">2. In the evening, after everyone is fed and in bed, I take a long hot shower and do nothing but <i>listen</i>.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">3. Washing dishes is a mindless task. I have found this to be a good time as well to just <i>listen</i>.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">4. Driving in the car. I put the kid's music on in the back of the car and I clear my mind and <i>listen</i>.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">5. Late at night when I can't fall asleep, rather than turn on Netflix or peruse through my Facebook feed; I <i>listen.&nbsp;</i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">What are some of the ways you make time to just be still and <i>listen</i>? Please, share! I am always looking for ways where I can make time to just...<i>listen.&nbsp;</i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div><div><i><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; text-indent: 25.920001983642578px;"></span></i><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; text-indent: 25.920001983642578px;"></span></i>&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;<a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-j0WhgnuqcMs/VRHi6KJmzyI/AAAAAAAABRA/mil-QE7TlnU/s640/blogger-image-1711994228.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-j0WhgnuqcMs/VRHi6KJmzyI/AAAAAAAABRA/mil-QE7TlnU/s640/blogger-image-1711994228.jpg" /></a></div><i><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; text-indent: 25.920001983642578px;"><br /></span></i></div><div><i><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; text-indent: 25.920001983642578px;"><br /></span></i></div><div><br /></div>Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04874196097624413254noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7757255410148772862.post-61504783227904689512015-03-22T12:36:00.001-07:002015-04-02T10:54:49.019-07:00Spring Break Recap<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">**My blog has moved to&nbsp;</span><a href="http://chroniclesofakeeper.com/" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;" target="_blank">ChroniclesofaKeeper.com</a><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">**</span><br /><br />What a beautiful day it is outside. I should be out there enjoying it. Instead, I am all curled up in bed with this guy.<br /><div><br /><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-clhW-JOXXjs/VQ8Zesq00DI/AAAAAAAABPA/SCxhzZbgBNE/s640/blogger-image--2030700750.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-clhW-JOXXjs/VQ8Zesq00DI/AAAAAAAABPA/SCxhzZbgBNE/s640/blogger-image--2030700750.jpg" /></a></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Rough. I know.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I am taking advantage of this lazy moment to do a little "spring cleaning" on my phone. Deleting TONS of pictures and freeing up some storage space is always a good thing. I need my storage space on my phone for important apps. You know, like <i>Trivia Crack.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">As I am uploading my pictures to where I normally store them, I came across pictures I took of the kiddos enjoying their spring break last week at my parents' house. They had so much fun.&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Well, Miss Priss had as much fun as one could...with the food poisoning and all. Bless her.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">She enjoyed some moments of silliness.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-O6usOdoFWmQ/VQ8Zm3NqEfI/AAAAAAAABPw/jk-eSbbiG4A/s640/blogger-image--1192876713.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-O6usOdoFWmQ/VQ8Zm3NqEfI/AAAAAAAABPw/jk-eSbbiG4A/s640/blogger-image--1192876713.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-MjTZs76znPs/VQ8ZsLlXwdI/AAAAAAAABQQ/yJRmsY_mogs/s640/blogger-image-182612680.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-MjTZs76znPs/VQ8ZsLlXwdI/AAAAAAAABQQ/yJRmsY_mogs/s640/blogger-image-182612680.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">She loved the little indoor picnic on a rainy day.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-E-LZZDtQ_Tc/VQ8ZdHObCOI/AAAAAAAABO4/YkFyx7cZqjE/s640/blogger-image--1468171028.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-E-LZZDtQ_Tc/VQ8ZdHObCOI/AAAAAAAABO4/YkFyx7cZqjE/s320/blogger-image--1468171028.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">She was treated to some pampering.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-RV3DSVFm25Q/VQ8Zn8MVq-I/AAAAAAAABP4/BckjVAd-XQs/s640/blogger-image-88324205.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-RV3DSVFm25Q/VQ8Zn8MVq-I/AAAAAAAABP4/BckjVAd-XQs/s640/blogger-image-88324205.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-2N5kfHm7ots/VQ8Ztj1kY-I/AAAAAAAABQY/m8TlzsdgAJU/s640/blogger-image-1408828852.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-2N5kfHm7ots/VQ8Ztj1kY-I/AAAAAAAABQY/m8TlzsdgAJU/s640/blogger-image-1408828852.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">But, hands down, her favorite part was being in her Papi's arms all week.&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-PdGa_e3BUkY/VQ8ZljD_h7I/AAAAAAAABPo/TyYdS6gsXjI/s640/blogger-image--299570519.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-PdGa_e3BUkY/VQ8ZljD_h7I/AAAAAAAABPo/TyYdS6gsXjI/s320/blogger-image--299570519.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The cousins all had a blast being together for the week.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">They planted herbs.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-nLt9wwlNdJI/VQ8ZkePiFmI/AAAAAAAABPg/oh3hOPvBAQg/s640/blogger-image-272312735.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-nLt9wwlNdJI/VQ8ZkePiFmI/AAAAAAAABPg/oh3hOPvBAQg/s320/blogger-image-272312735.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Went to an aquarium.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-LjFJAKMpK8k/VQ8ZgNzYb3I/AAAAAAAABPI/bCdo2xUfMX4/s640/blogger-image-1901967702.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-LjFJAKMpK8k/VQ8ZgNzYb3I/AAAAAAAABPI/bCdo2xUfMX4/s640/blogger-image-1901967702.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Camped out on a sofa bed to watch Frozen while eating a donut.&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-hHXjHmNtZRM/VQ8Zq9J1zKI/AAAAAAAABQI/MfyTBGBTX8I/s640/blogger-image--516712150.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-hHXjHmNtZRM/VQ8Zq9J1zKI/AAAAAAAABQI/MfyTBGBTX8I/s640/blogger-image--516712150.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Fishing, of course.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-8gb0FWQZHls/VQ8Zu7i6pRI/AAAAAAAABQg/ITdZi_5cMWE/s640/blogger-image-1859615741.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-8gb0FWQZHls/VQ8Zu7i6pRI/AAAAAAAABQg/ITdZi_5cMWE/s640/blogger-image-1859615741.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Ate shamrock(ish) pancakes for St. Patty's Day.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-tD3YdGRXxII/VQ8ZwZ-Y9iI/AAAAAAAABQo/ZRWWLJfUS38/s640/blogger-image-771280417.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-tD3YdGRXxII/VQ8ZwZ-Y9iI/AAAAAAAABQo/ZRWWLJfUS38/s640/blogger-image-771280417.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Enjoyed some sidewalk chalk art.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-bN04kCM0_xU/VQ8ZhVhgcPI/AAAAAAAABPQ/dNtHpaUkPcU/s640/blogger-image--1307823709.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-bN04kCM0_xU/VQ8ZhVhgcPI/AAAAAAAABPQ/dNtHpaUkPcU/s640/blogger-image--1307823709.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-dEFYbmp7rDg/VQ8Zi73r4fI/AAAAAAAABPY/VNnlNFQU1ik/s640/blogger-image-710791817.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-dEFYbmp7rDg/VQ8Zi73r4fI/AAAAAAAABPY/VNnlNFQU1ik/s640/blogger-image-710791817.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">And even had time for a little game of catch.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-Fc_4408-7fc/VQ8ZpXIFI1I/AAAAAAAABQA/OmNqDLc8mNI/s640/blogger-image--254223142.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-Fc_4408-7fc/VQ8ZpXIFI1I/AAAAAAAABQA/OmNqDLc8mNI/s640/blogger-image--254223142.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I'm thankful to my parents for putting up with a house full of kiddos, two extra adults, loads upon loads of laundry, noise that never ceases, and being near eaten out of house and home.&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">It was definitely a fun week...very exhausting...but, still a fun week.</span></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div>Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04874196097624413254noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7757255410148772862.post-14265246795091361632015-03-19T18:08:00.001-07:002015-04-02T11:18:00.319-07:00The Reluctant Homesteader: Little Gardeners<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">**My blog has moved to&nbsp;</span><a href="http://chroniclesofakeeper.com/" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;" target="_blank">ChroniclesofaKeeper.com</a><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">**</span><br /><br />Gardening. The organization of planning what will be planted in which bed, the&nbsp;<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">planting of seeds and starter plants,</span>&nbsp;the freshness of a newly planted garden bed, the anticipation of that first vegetable; I love it all.<br /><div><br /></div><div>The last few years have not been anything to write home about as far as my overall garden production. I start every spring with high hopes and lofty dreams of this&nbsp;beautiful grand garden...only to be disappointed by mid June.&nbsp;</div><div><br /></div><div>One would think I would just throw in the towel one of these years. But, No. I am <i>determined </i>to make it work.&nbsp;</div><div><br /></div><div>This week I bought my onion sets. Hopefully I will get to plant them this weekend. If I can get even a handful of onions to grow this year, I will count it a win.</div><div><br /></div><div>I have been out of town visiting my family this week, so I have not been able to work outside in my garden. <i>But</i>...my awesome mom had a fun activity planned for her grandkids. One that will help get me going with my garden in the coming weeks.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-ks8JX4z35kI/VQty-U95kTI/AAAAAAAABOA/L8b1ujXOM1g/s640/blogger-image--1429408906.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-ks8JX4z35kI/VQty-U95kTI/AAAAAAAABOA/L8b1ujXOM1g/s640/blogger-image--1429408906.jpg" /></a></div><br /></div><div>Using recycled egg cartons for seed starters containers.</div><div><br /></div><div>The kids, well, they had so much fun planting their little seeds. Me? Well, how can I <i>not</i>&nbsp;be excited about get a jump start on my cilantro, basil and green beans.&nbsp;</div><div><br /></div><div>Of course...we aren't quite sure what seeds ended up in which spot. Who really knows if anything will even grow or not. It was kind of hit and miss with the whole planting process.</div><div><br /></div><div>Really though, plant or no plant. It was all about the fun.&nbsp;</div><div><br /></div><div>And fun...it was definitely had.&nbsp;</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Yu_-wqPIO60/VQt48OFLpHI/AAAAAAAABOo/nHSl5hJnJKE/s640/blogger-image-1792090025.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Yu_-wqPIO60/VQt48OFLpHI/AAAAAAAABOo/nHSl5hJnJKE/s640/blogger-image-1792090025.jpg" /></a></div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-II_vbRm01S4/VQt44Po0zSI/AAAAAAAABOQ/W4VZtfBvx6I/s640/blogger-image-1468681478.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-II_vbRm01S4/VQt44Po0zSI/AAAAAAAABOQ/W4VZtfBvx6I/s640/blogger-image-1468681478.jpg" /></a></div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-M87XhWjzQ-U/VQt45RlE_OI/AAAAAAAABOY/k09KwZhA_Oc/s640/blogger-image--991364399.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-M87XhWjzQ-U/VQt45RlE_OI/AAAAAAAABOY/k09KwZhA_Oc/s640/blogger-image--991364399.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-KxH6I14zEpo/VQt46uLjsuI/AAAAAAAABOg/kgLS0n5pMno/s640/blogger-image-1786835763.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-KxH6I14zEpo/VQt46uLjsuI/AAAAAAAABOg/kgLS0n5pMno/s640/blogger-image-1786835763.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /></div>Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04874196097624413254noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7757255410148772862.post-7675767586813291182015-03-15T00:24:00.001-07:002015-03-17T19:31:06.062-07:00Late Night Blues1:40 in the morning. Wish I was asleep. <i>Really</i>&nbsp;wish I was asleep.<br /><div><br /></div><div>The kiddos and I are spending the week down at my parents house with my sister and her kids, my brother, his wife and daughter, and also my youngest brother. A fun (semi) relaxing week is what I was expecting.</div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Currently, however, &nbsp;I find myself lying on a pullout sofa, listening to the sound of a train going by and feeling the rhythmic breathing of my sweet little girl asleep next to me.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-S3xucjAkTYI/VQUzkpBSKOI/AAAAAAAABNw/dcWm_HGA1Kw/s640/blogger-image-440432609.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-S3xucjAkTYI/VQUzkpBSKOI/AAAAAAAABNw/dcWm_HGA1Kw/s320/blogger-image-440432609.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Waiting. Waiting for that moment when I need to </span><i style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">quickly&nbsp;</i><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">grab the small trash can that is positioned at the head of my little sofa bed. Miss Priss has not had the best of evenings.&nbsp;</span></div><div><div><br /></div><div>I am hoping this evening is not a foreshadowing of how our spring break is going to play out.&nbsp;</div><div><br /></div><div>I am hoping that the 6 times my sweet girl had needed to make use of that trash can is a direct result of something she ate and <i>not</i>&nbsp;because of a stomach virus.&nbsp;</div><div><br /></div><div>I am hoping that the other 5 children that are under the same roof this week will remain perfectly healthy.</div><div><br /></div><div>I am hoping that the 7 adults that will be occupying space with said children will also stay healthy.</div><div><br /></div><div>*sigh*</div><div><br /></div><div>An evening that was <i>entirely</i> dedicated to planning a spur of the moment day trip to Branson has been completely undone by this unfortunate event.</div><div><br /></div><div>*double sigh*</div><div><br /></div><div>However, I am thankful for the many helping hands that are here to so willingly assist me during this unfortunate event. Seriously. I am so very grateful for all of them and their willingness to forego all that is clean and sanitary to help my little girl feel safe and comfortable during this time.&nbsp;</div><div><br /></div><div>So, as I lie here listening to the tick-tock sound of a clock, jumping up for the trash can at any and every movement my daughter makes and bemoaning the shattered opportunity to go to Branson...I will do my best to be content and thankful.&nbsp;</div><div><br /></div><div>Counting sheep is not, in any way, part of my current circumstance. So, I may as well count my blessings instead. Goodnight, y'all.</div><div><br /></div><div></div></div>Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04874196097624413254noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7757255410148772862.post-33492454709203475012015-03-12T13:55:00.002-07:002015-04-06T12:06:02.558-07:00The Reluctant Homesteader: The Great Debate<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">**My blog has been moved to chroniclesofakeeper.com**</span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Trying to decide on getting some chickens/and or goats? Here, let me help you out with your decsion.</span><br /><div><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">&nbsp;<b>Why you SHOULD get yourself a sweet little brood of chickens and a couple of cute playful goats?</b></span></div><div><ul><li><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Because, they are just so darn cute! Seriously.</span></li></ul><ul><li><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Watching a chicken chase after something is the funniest thing you might ever see. They run with their little heads down, bottoms up and their shoulders are in a stance that is akin to a big burly football player prepared for the big tackle.&nbsp;</span></li></ul><ul><li><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Having goats eat from your hand is such a fun experience for the whole family to enjoy.</span></li></ul><ul><li><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Every day you get to kind of feel like you are on an episode of Little House on the&nbsp;Prairie. </span><i style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I always envied Laura.&nbsp;</i></li></ul><ul><li><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Instead of having magazines such as Fitness, Time, or People lying around your house, you, instead, have Hobby Farms and the Hoegger Supply catalog for your leisurely browsing material.&nbsp;</span></li></ul><div><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lEGzLt3u8Go/VQEJxiF2t7I/AAAAAAAABNc/PVUxFi9ehjw/s1600/IMG_0578.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lEGzLt3u8Go/VQEJxiF2t7I/AAAAAAAABNc/PVUxFi9ehjw/s1600/IMG_0578.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div><div><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div><ul><li><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Nothing better than farm fresh eggs.</span></li></ul><ul><li><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Watching the antics of a goat is entertainment at its finest.&nbsp;</span></li></ul><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GzBvkwY6LYc/VQED0bPuUdI/AAAAAAAABNE/KAqFuZx3EIc/s1600/IMG_0545.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GzBvkwY6LYc/VQED0bPuUdI/AAAAAAAABNE/KAqFuZx3EIc/s1600/IMG_0545.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Josie loves to stand on top of their little mini-house.&nbsp;</td></tr></tbody></table><div><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div><ul><li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">While all the other kids are learning how to say "dog" and "cat" during&nbsp;Spanish&nbsp;class, your kids will&nbsp;want to learn how to say "chicken" and "goat".</span></li></ul><ul><li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">When your rooster has had a frightening day, he will wait for you on your back porch and want you to carry him back to his chicken house.</span></li></ul><div><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><br /></i></span></div></div><div><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Why you should NOT get yourself a sweet little brood of chickens and a couple of cute playful goats?</b>&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div><div><ul><li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Taking care of animals in the rain is not all that enjoyable.&nbsp;</span></li></ul><ul><li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">While learning about the artist Jim Davis during art time, your son will draw his own cartoon character (as instructed). It will be of a big funny chicken...with a rooster on top of her. He will then share it with the rest of the children in class and proceed to divulge more information about his drawing. "Roosters like to sit on top of chickens all the time. It is how they stay warm.". You will turn red and (because you are laughing uncontrollably) exit the room.&nbsp;</span></li></ul><ul><li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Your chickens will all decide to flee the chicken yard at the most&nbsp;inopportune&nbsp;time (because you may or may not have remembered to close their gate). You will have to round all your chickens back up. This will, in turn, make you and children late to their Spanish class.</span></li></ul><ul><li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Your new life's nemesis will be a coyote. One that is dead set on destroying your little homestead way of life. In fact, because of this said nemesis...you will find yourself:</span></li><ul><li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">chasing after him in your pajamas like a crazy person trying to keep him away from your rooster</span></li><li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">trying to "track him" after seeing him stalking the chicken area...causing you to be late to your morning ladies' Bible study</span></li><li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">firing a shot off at him (and missing) while standing barefoot in the snow &nbsp;</span></li><li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">scaring your family half to death because you bolted out of bed to run outside at 3:45 in the morning due to his yapping and wailing outside your window as he was trying to get into your chicken coop</span></li><li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">feeling a slight sense of accomplishment when (so far) your chicken/goat fence's new barbed wire accessory has seemed to deter him</span></li></ul></ul><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-P3xbwCyiNQ4/VQED0cu3rDI/AAAAAAAABNI/ZyjiWRznr4U/s1600/IMG_0543.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-P3xbwCyiNQ4/VQED0cu3rDI/AAAAAAAABNI/ZyjiWRznr4U/s1600/IMG_0543.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Putting up the barbed wire...</td></tr></tbody></table></div><div><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">So there you have it. I hope I have made your decision easy for you. Clearly, having chickens and goats is the way to go.&nbsp;</span></div>Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04874196097624413254noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7757255410148772862.post-7117039552791816402015-03-11T17:19:00.000-07:002015-04-06T12:08:35.536-07:00Well, Bless Your Heart<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">**My blog has been moved to chroniclesofakeeper.com**</span><br /><div><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">When my sister and I were growing up I remember a time or two when I caused her some grief. &nbsp;I particularly remember that when I would call her "cute" it would drive her crazy. She thought it was patronizing and I felt the need to establish that she was not only the younger sibling, but that she was <i>young </i>(as compared to me who was "so much more grown-up").&nbsp;</span><span style="background-color: white;">&nbsp;It was not enough that I would merely say "she looked cute", but I would, of course, always say it in my most irritatingly sweet "grown-up" voice that I could muster.&nbsp;Passive aggressiveness with a smattering of sweetness. Just plain annoying.&nbsp;</span></span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">Y'all know what I am talking about. I'm sure there has been a time when you have either been so annoyingly sticky sweet just to rub someone the wrong way or have had it done to you. Dig deep...I'm sure you will find that time.</span></span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">All those moments of annoying my sister are coming back to bite me in the rear.&nbsp;</span></span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">"Bless your heart"...</span></span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">Okay, random people at the grocery store, post office, feed store or just about anywhere my children and I are at. I <i>know</i>&nbsp;what you mean when you say it to me in <i>that</i>&nbsp;tone. Seriously, I do.&nbsp;</span></span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">I've narrowed it down. There are three kinds of people who like to "bless my heart".</span></span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">1. There are the people who give me the most disgusted look they can come up with and spew the words "bless your heart" at me. I <i>know </i>they are not wanting to bless my heart. They are usually judging me for having three children ages 5 and under. Not only having these three children, but being out in public with them. It has been on the tip of my tongue to "bless their heart" right back.</span></span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">2. Those who look at me with a look of despondency and "bless my heart". They usually are under the belief that I am a soul that is heavily burdened by my children. They are under the impression that I am obviously missing out on the more exciting things of life because of my kids.&nbsp;</span></span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">3. Then there are those <i>rare</i>&nbsp;few. The ones who have been down this road before. The mother whose children are grown but can remember how it can be a little bit of a hassle to grocery shop with three little ones...two which take up most of the cart space. They remember those times of struggle. But, when they "bless my heart"...they are doing it with encouragement in their words; A smile in their eyes. They <i>know</i>&nbsp;the reward far outweighs the struggle. These kind of people are more than welcome to bless my heart all day.&nbsp;</span></span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">Yes, I may look a little haggard at times while I am touting about three little ones...but don't let the bags under my eyes fool you. Instead, see the smile on my face as I hear the sweet cooing from my littlest one, hear the laughter from my mouth as I watch the joy and curiosity that is my daughter and see the softness in my eyes as I watch the thoughtfulness and compassion that is my oldest son.&nbsp;</span></span><br /><br /><b>My quiver is full and my heart is very blessed because of it.&nbsp;</b><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lgt-I6YYJkM/VQDNzRrAqZI/AAAAAAAABMc/yAnXz5cl5dc/s1600/IMG_0597.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lgt-I6YYJkM/VQDNzRrAqZI/AAAAAAAABMc/yAnXz5cl5dc/s1600/IMG_0597.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-A5SczCRFwgE/VQDN0M5VAAI/AAAAAAAABMk/LXRLmcQ7Mdk/s1600/IMG_0611.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-A5SczCRFwgE/VQDN0M5VAAI/AAAAAAAABMk/LXRLmcQ7Mdk/s1600/IMG_0611.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a>&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8vEph-Isrzg/VQDNzpp3x9I/AAAAAAAABMw/uEwRsS6s0sU/s1600/IMG_0610.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8vEph-Isrzg/VQDNzpp3x9I/AAAAAAAABMw/uEwRsS6s0sU/s1600/IMG_0610.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span>Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04874196097624413254noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7757255410148772862.post-59400467508681785672015-03-09T17:50:00.001-07:002015-04-06T12:11:42.584-07:00What's Your Song?<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">**My blog has been moved to chroniclesofakeeper.com**</span><br /><div><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="text Rev-4-11" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic; line-height: 24px; position: relative;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><span class="text Rev-4-11" id="en-ESV-30764" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic; line-height: 24px; position: relative;">Worthy are you, our Lord and God,&nbsp;</span><span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic; line-height: 24px;"><span class="text Rev-4-11" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">to receive glory and honor and power,&nbsp;</span></span><span class="text Rev-4-11" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic; line-height: 24px; position: relative;">for&nbsp;<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-ESV-30764B" data-link="(&lt;a href=&quot;#cen-ESV-30764B&quot; title=&quot;See cross-reference B&quot;&gt;B&lt;/a&gt;)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span>you created all things,&nbsp;</span></i><span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"><span class="text Rev-4-11" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;"><i>and&nbsp;<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-ESV-30764C" data-link="(&lt;a href=&quot;#cen-ESV-30764C&quot; title=&quot;See cross-reference C&quot;&gt;C&lt;/a&gt;)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span>by your will they existed and were created. (</i>Revelation 4:11)</span></span></span><br /><div><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 24px;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 24px;">I have always loved listening to music.&nbsp;</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 24px;">It has always been one of those things I felt connected with me. I love the stories in a song, the musical flow, the way some songs could just resonate within me.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 24px;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 24px;">I am not just talking about serious songs. All kinds of songs - from serious, to happy, to sad...to whatever. Maybe I get it from my dad, who is also a lover of music or, maybe, it is my Latina roots that love the "feel of the&nbsp;rhythm".&nbsp;</span></span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 24px;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 24px;">I remember while I was in college, I sooo loved the theme song from the Golden Girls. Because, for one,</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 24px;">&nbsp;</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 24px;">I loved watching the Golden Girls.</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 24px;"> One semester, in my junior year of college, it wasn't at all unusual for me to be 5 minutes late to one of my classes due to watching this show. Poor Dr. Devries...she was so patient with me and my tardiness. Secondly,</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 24px;">&nbsp;It reminded me of my best friend.</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 24px;">&nbsp;My college roommate and I became friends when I was 12 years old and we formed one of those crazy awesome lasting friendships. Every time I hear the song, I think of her.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 24px;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 24px;">Of course, like anyone else, some songs just <i>connect</i>&nbsp;with me more. I still cannot explain why Boston's <i>More Than a Feeling</i>&nbsp;has always been a favorite of mine. Really, I have no explanation.</span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 24px;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 24px;">So, I am sure that no one would be surprised to know that the worship (through song) portion of a church service is one of my favorite parts of church. Naturally, we are all inclined to our own <i>style, </i>as am I. But, <b>when I just focus on whom I am singing to and whom I singing about, I start to forget about my preferences and I&nbsp;<i>focus on Him</i>.&nbsp;</b></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 24px;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 24px;">One of my absolute favorite worship songs is <i>Great I Am</i>&nbsp;sung by Phillips, Craig and Dean. It is such a beautifully written and composed song. Whenever I hear it,&nbsp;</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 24px;">I feel like I am standing in His presence and everything else around me is shut-out and...it is just Him.</span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 24px;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 24px;">Y'all, I can't even begin to tell you how excited my soul was yesterday when we sang this song at church.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 24px;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 24px;">One of my favorite parts of the song is this line - "</span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 17px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">There is no power in hell o</span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 17px;">r any who can stand&nbsp;</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 17px;">before the power and the presence of the great I Am,&nbsp;</span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 17px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The great I am, the great I Am." I am so thankful for the greatness and awesomeness that is my God.&nbsp;</span></span><i style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 24px;">Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised, and His greatness is unsearchable.&nbsp;</i><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 24px;">(Psalm 145:3)</span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 24px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 24px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Do you have a certain song that absolutely puts you into that place of worship? You know, that song that puts you in a place where it is just you and Him. What song is that?</span></span></div><div><span style="color: #001320; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #001320; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>&nbsp;</i></span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 24px;">I hope you enjoy a special time of worship through song with Him that extends beyond your Sunday morning church service. </span><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify;">I will sing to the</span><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify;">&nbsp;</span><span class="divine-name" style="color: #001320; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify; text-transform: uppercase;">LORD</span><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify;">&nbsp;</span><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify;">as long as I live;&nbsp;</span></span></i><span style="color: #001320; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>I will sing praise to my God while I have being. (Psalm 104:33) </i>Challenge yourself to take some time during the week to spend focusing on Him through song. It truly is such a sweet and special time.</span></span></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 24px;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tcogOP4A5Fc/VP4dKrKVASI/AAAAAAAABMM/syytQgfIxvs/s1600/IMG_0555.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tcogOP4A5Fc/VP4dKrKVASI/AAAAAAAABMM/syytQgfIxvs/s1600/IMG_0555.JPG" height="320" width="214" /></a></div><div><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 24px;"><br /></span></div><div></div><div><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 24px;"><br /></span></div><div><b style="border: 0px none; font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 13.4399995803833px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;">&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;</b></div>Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04874196097624413254noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7757255410148772862.post-74136838431211780662015-03-07T17:02:00.000-08:002015-04-06T12:14:23.868-07:00Training Day<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">**My blog has been moved to chroniclesofakeeper.com**</span><br /><div><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">You know when someone asks you to do something and <i>at the time</i> it sounds like a great idea and you enthusiastically agree to do it (mainly because it is always fun to do things with your friends.)...but then later, you may have feelings of regret. The OKC Memorial Marathon is 8 weeks away. I am kind of in that moment of regret.</span><br /><div><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Back in January, agreeing to run a 5K with my friends sounded fun and totally doable. Well, time has passed and I am now within an 8 week window to get my non-runner body in shape to run a 5K. The enthusiasm I felt in January has somewhat slipped away, being replaced with a feeling of dread.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I have been putting off my "training" for weeks. Finally, a text from my friend (who is running with me) made me realize I needed to get with it...and fast. My C25K app needed to start <i>this week.&nbsp;</i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Before I went out for my run, I decided to give myself some motivation. I officially signed up for running the 5K. When registering, I was to select an account type. The only option they gave me was "Athlete". I tried to select something more along the lines of "novice"...but could not find that option.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EELUNk99_O8/VPtDdM4PijI/AAAAAAAABK0/LfG80jnpY2o/s1600/IMG_0527.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EELUNk99_O8/VPtDdM4PijI/AAAAAAAABK0/LfG80jnpY2o/s1600/IMG_0527.PNG" height="320" width="179" /></a></div><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I did like the GPS the option they gave me when signing up...I almost considered it. You know, in case someone needs to find my body that is passed out somewhere along the city streets of OKC.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-V76VoyrxMNo/VPtDdqGh1JI/AAAAAAAABK8/3ii_o-dIwIQ/s1600/IMG_0528.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-V76VoyrxMNo/VPtDdqGh1JI/AAAAAAAABK8/3ii_o-dIwIQ/s1600/IMG_0528.PNG" height="320" width="179" /></a></span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Okay, I'm officially signed up. I have no choice BUT to get out there and start running. I go to my C25K app to get started...and this. Not the time to be asking for my opinion on something I am really not wanting to have any part of at the moment.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FonI_ADbJ3c/VPtDdooGN8I/AAAAAAAABK4/reIhvJx0mzg/s1600/IMG_0529.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FonI_ADbJ3c/VPtDdooGN8I/AAAAAAAABK4/reIhvJx0mzg/s1600/IMG_0529.PNG" height="320" width="179" /></a></div><div><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I began my warm-up. <i>Okay, this isn't too bad.</i> I'm still not happy...but I am feeling a little better about it. Then she (the app) tells me to run. Bless. Neither my lungs nor my body appreciated that demand.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I think my rooster was scared. (Oh yeah, did I mention I have to run on my property??? I have 3 kids ages 5 and under...I have no where else to go run.) The only times my rooster has seen me run is when I am chasing a coyote...so he immediately went into panic mode. Poor Lucky. A good 12-15 minutes he crowed his feelings of worriment.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I was trucking along pretty well, all considering. I was getting towards the end of my run when I was wishing I had a playlist to run to. I think it would make it more enjoyable if I had something to listen to besides the sound of my own&nbsp;labored&nbsp;breathing.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I pulled my phone's playlists up...yeah, pretty sure I am <i>not</i>&nbsp;going to get my run on listening to Lil' Man's Classical Conversations playlist. I just didn't see it happening, even though I'm sure it would be awesome to run to songs about President Wilson, a timeline of the world, or to go over what the area of a square is. Not.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">My next option was a playlist for Miss Priss...it was her Hidden in My Heart scripture lullabies. I love the songs, <i>but </i>they make me feel all relaxed. Again, not what I needed for my run.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Then I had the one song I bought for myself. Lauren Daigle's How Can It Be...LOVE the song. Still&nbsp;not <i>quite </i>what I was looking for.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Oh well..onward I went. Until <i>finally</i>, these sweet words...<b>cooldown</b>.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eswc2IIsbnI/VPtDfybohtI/AAAAAAAABLY/fFY94hYE80Q/s1600/IMG_0536.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eswc2IIsbnI/VPtDfybohtI/AAAAAAAABLY/fFY94hYE80Q/s1600/IMG_0536.PNG" height="320" width="179" /></a></div><div><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Then the sweetest words of them all...</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rKm9UCFfoXw/VPtDgCLgRPI/AAAAAAAABLg/0TK8QV8K46A/s1600/IMG_0537.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rKm9UCFfoXw/VPtDgCLgRPI/AAAAAAAABLg/0TK8QV8K46A/s1600/IMG_0537.PNG" height="320" width="179" /></a></div><div><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Okay, I did it. It wasn't too bad. I <i>can</i>&nbsp;do it again.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-auSIfhNuAVs/VPtooUllRzI/AAAAAAAABL8/91SollZv-lA/s1600/IMG_0542.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-auSIfhNuAVs/VPtooUllRzI/AAAAAAAABL8/91SollZv-lA/s1600/IMG_0542.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div><div><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04874196097624413254noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7757255410148772862.post-73627589667340758462015-03-06T18:22:00.000-08:002015-04-06T12:18:36.982-07:00Friday Favorites<div><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">**My blog has been moved to chroniclesofakeeper.com**</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">1. I have recently discovered these yummy little treats. L picked some up at the store the other day. I thought he was crazy at first and I refused to try them, the thought of eating dried up okra was...bleh. He finally convinced me to try one. Umm...SO GOOD.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RZe_1g218qg/VPnHir3BmQI/AAAAAAAABJo/ekIC2z5QlGM/s1600/IMG_0373.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RZe_1g218qg/VPnHir3BmQI/AAAAAAAABJo/ekIC2z5QlGM/s1600/IMG_0373.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div><div><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">2. &nbsp;Shower bombs. I love adding a few drops of essential oils to a hot steamy shower, it is amazing. I wanted to find a way to stretch my oils and increase the longevity of its aroma while in the shower. I found some amazing recipes and made some of these pretty cool shower bombs. You can get the recipe <a href="http://www.theidearoom.net/2015/02/aromatherapy-shower-bombs.html#_a5y_p=3337232" target="_blank">here</a>.</span></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TTjIxdqQLMQ/VPnHi5lIqhI/AAAAAAAABJg/iiscOx3djw0/s1600/IMG_0513.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TTjIxdqQLMQ/VPnHi5lIqhI/AAAAAAAABJg/iiscOx3djw0/s1600/IMG_0513.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sbXeIkyaz2k/VPnHiVEiFiI/AAAAAAAABJU/EbGZcfw6RAU/s1600/IMG_0512.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sbXeIkyaz2k/VPnHiVEiFiI/AAAAAAAABJU/EbGZcfw6RAU/s1600/IMG_0512.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Miss Priss enjoyed being able to help make them.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6KFmC5ReFH4/VPnHir7RjlI/AAAAAAAABJY/5ONOcH7PvvE/s1600/IMG_0499.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6KFmC5ReFH4/VPnHir7RjlI/AAAAAAAABJY/5ONOcH7PvvE/s1600/IMG_0499.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">3. Children being old enough to help out with chores around the house definitely gets added to my favorites this week. Character building, people. Character.Building.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-B75_tOxlb4A/VPpLx-I3MXI/AAAAAAAABJ8/D9RGA6wAZDE/s1600/IMG_0521.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-B75_tOxlb4A/VPpLx-I3MXI/AAAAAAAABJ8/D9RGA6wAZDE/s1600/IMG_0521.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">4. Tater tot casserole on a&nbsp;Friday&nbsp;night. You can get the recipe for it&nbsp;<a href="http://abitaboutus.blogspot.com/2012/02/recipes-from-mothers.html" target="_blank">here</a>.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PUkgRIlwfUc/VPpRmzJCsoI/AAAAAAAABKM/VljKe1jxaNU/s1600/IMG_5169.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PUkgRIlwfUc/VPpRmzJCsoI/AAAAAAAABKM/VljKe1jxaNU/s1600/IMG_5169.JPG" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">5. Group texts with my siblings. We are all so...wonderfully weird. I love it. I so love how close we all are to each other. We enjoy hanging out together, quoting lines from The Three Stooges together and are ALWAYS up for playing a game when we are together.&nbsp;</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kSpcVzHm78c/VPpUghK6alI/AAAAAAAABKg/lauv9TzA_Dw/s1600/IMG_0526.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kSpcVzHm78c/VPpUghK6alI/AAAAAAAABKg/lauv9TzA_Dw/s1600/IMG_0526.JPG" height="320" width="206" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">So, there you have it. My Five Friday Favorites.&nbsp;</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div></div>Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04874196097624413254noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7757255410148772862.post-4158169032631879602015-03-05T10:29:00.001-08:002015-04-06T13:00:15.675-07:00The Reluctant Homesteader: That Moment of...EW!<br /><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;"></div><br /><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">**My blog has been moved to chroniclesofakeeper.com**</span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I have this weird paranoia of anything germy, parasitic, or fungal that can affect me or my family. My first year of teaching I got ringworm from one of my students. I about died.&nbsp;</span><br /><div><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Unfortunately, that would not be the only time that would happen to me that year. I soon discovered the amazing power of full concentrate bleach applied <i>directly</i>&nbsp;to the skin. That and washing everything a million times a day was how I treated it.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Cooking is always an interesting feat as well, all I see when handling raw meat is <i>salmonella, salmonella, salmonella. </i>It stresses my husband out when he is making dinner or about to smoke some meat and I am around; I have certain procedures as to how raw meat is to be handled in my kitchen.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">It is also possible that I may stress him out when we go stay at a hotel. I don't really like to bring anything into the room and <i>will not unpack one item</i>&nbsp;until I have checked the bed(s) and other furniture for bedbugs. I just can't deal with that.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">My poor hair. During my time as a classroom teacher, I wore more hair product than you would believe&nbsp;(partly out of necessity because of the&nbsp;unruliness of my annoying tresses)&nbsp;and always colored it. It was my prevention strategy for lice.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Y'all, this kind of stuff brings me anxiety.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">You know, I had this grand plan to milk my goats so we can have fresh goat milk to drink instead of buying milk. Well, I started reading up on stuff and have just about scared myself away from that idea. I read this article on the cdc website - "<span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px; line-height: 25px;">Raw milk can cause serious infections. Raw milk and raw milk products (such as cheeses and yogurts made with raw milk) can be contaminated with bacteria that can cause serious illness, hospitalization, or death. These harmful bacteria include&nbsp;</span><em style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px; line-height: 25px;">Brucella</em><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px; line-height: 25px;">,&nbsp;</span><em style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px; line-height: 25px;">Campylobacter</em><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px; line-height: 25px;">,&nbsp;</span><em style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px; line-height: 25px;">Listeria</em><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px; line-height: 25px;">,&nbsp;</span><em style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px; line-height: 25px;">Mycobacterium bovis</em><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px; line-height: 25px;">,&nbsp;</span><em style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px; line-height: 25px;">Salmonella</em><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px; line-height: 25px;">, Shiga toxin-producing&nbsp;</span><em style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px; line-height: 25px;">E. coli</em><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px; line-height: 25px;">,&nbsp;</span><em style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px; line-height: 25px;">Shigella</em><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px; line-height: 25px;">,</span><em style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px; line-height: 25px;">Streptococcus pyogenes</em><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px; line-height: 25px;">, and&nbsp;</span><em style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px; line-height: 25px;">Yersinia enterocolitica</em><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px; line-height: 25px;">." &nbsp;</span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 25px;">I don't even know what most of those things are...but it freaks me out to think about contracting any of them.&nbsp;</span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 25px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 25px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Now, let me say. I grew up drinking a lot of raw milk. I don't have a problem with drinking it. I know it can be safe, if handled properly. I just don't think I trust <i>myself</i>&nbsp;to do it. I am sure I would mess it up somehow.</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">So, now, I am looking into buying a pasteurizer. <span style="font-size: x-small;">(My husband is so patient)</span></span></div><div></div><div><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">So knowing all this about me, I would like you to picture with me...if you will...as I am tending to my lovely flock of chickens and my two goats one day, I made a discovery. Sweet (kind of a brat) Josie was acting like something was bothering her. So, I went to check her out.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">What I am about to say next is <i>not</i>&nbsp;for the weak.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I inspected her hooves, her ears, her legs, her head and started to make my way down to the top of her neck. That is when I saw <i>it.&nbsp;</i>(If someone could have been there with a camera recording and caught my reaction...it would have totally gone viral.)&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Lice, my friends. Lice.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">My heart pounded. My brain was producing all kinds of&nbsp;horrendous&nbsp;thoughts. After my panic/anxiety attack, I went into a brief moment of denial...followed by a moment of humiliation (<i>how did this happen??? Am I a dirty person??? Am I a terrible caretaker of my animals???).&nbsp;</i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Finally, after a moment to process. I took to the internet and searched the first most important thing concerning this situation - "Can goat lice spread to humans?". My heart began to calm after finding out that lice is <i>specie</i>&nbsp;specific. My chickens and I were going to be okay.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I went out to my feed shed where I always keep a big container of&nbsp;<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 25px;">Diatomaceous Earth (DE) and rubbed her coat down with it <i>really </i>well.</span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 25px;">&nbsp;</span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="line-height: 25px;">So, that, along with cleaning out all the goat bedding, sprinkling DE all over the area, applying some new bedding (with more DE on sprinkled on top) and spraying her down with an essential oil&nbsp;concoction&nbsp;is how I am dealing with it for now.<span style="color: #000305;">&nbsp;</span></span></span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: #000305;"><span style="line-height: 25px;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AM1GeWy104g/VPicf-mkBmI/AAAAAAAABJA/dvIs_WPzYB8/s1600/IMG_0478.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AM1GeWy104g/VPicf-mkBmI/AAAAAAAABJA/dvIs_WPzYB8/s1600/IMG_0478.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">She has such an attitude sometimes.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">It is starting to warm up...I'll soon be starting my warm weather preparations with all the animals and I'll be shearing the goats to help bring in a new shiny coat for spring and summer. Doing that and keeping up a good routine with my DE and EO's, makes me feel much better about the situation.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;">**As a disclaimer (for my own sense of pride)...When I sent a text to the lady I bought my goats from (to ask for some advice), she apologized saying that she is pretty sure that they got the lice from her herd.**</span></div>Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04874196097624413254noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7757255410148772862.post-80345242142556750372015-03-02T16:18:00.000-08:002015-04-06T13:06:37.755-07:00 Brothy Business<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">**My blog has been moved to chroniclesofakeeper.com**</span><br /><div><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Over the weekend we had ourselves a little bit of winter weather, which pretty much meant that I would only be going outdoors when necessary. I would go outside in the morning to feed and take care of my animals...and that was about the extent of my outdoor time. </span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">So, that left me to find things <i>indoors</i> to do. There was something I have been wanting to make for quite awhile and just never found the time to get it done. This weekend...I finally did it. </span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Well, I did it...with the help my sweet friend. Bless her. I sent <i>quite a few </i>texts to her over the weekend asking for help and directions. Also, a gross picture or two. She was totally awesome at helping me make...for the first time ever...<b>bone broth</b>. </span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Many will read this and think,<i> it is not that hard. Seriously, not that hard.</i></span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">You don't know me. I can make anything that is <i>new</i> to me difficult. I worry too much about messing things up. </span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">So, again, my sweet friend saved.my.day. </span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">It is crazy to me that this:</span><br /><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=15/03/02/368.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/15/03/02/s_368.jpg" height="281" style="margin: 5px;" width="210" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I know...totally gross</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Can turn to this (after cooking for 36 hours in the crockpot):</span><br /><br /><br /><center><a href="http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=15/03/02/369.jpg"><img border="0" src="http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/15/03/02/s_369.jpg" height="281" style="margin: 5px;" width="210" /></a></center><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Ultimately, looking like this:</span><br /><br /><br /><center><a href="http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=15/03/02/370.jpg"><img border="0" src="http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/15/03/02/s_370.jpg" height="281" style="margin: 5px;" width="210" /></a></center><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I'm so excited about having my own homemade bone broth to use as a soup base, to make rice, or just to sip on from a hot mug when feeling sick. </span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">There are so many health benefits from bone broth. The more I researched it, the more amazed I was by all its benefits. Really...you should look into it if you haven't already, its pretty awesome.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">If nothing else...it is basically a free way to make your own broth for using when cooking instead of buying the store bought stuff. Better product + saving some $ = win, win. Oh yeah,<i>&nbsp;and</i>&nbsp;it was so EASY!</span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">So go ahead, I know you are inspired now, go make your own bone broth today!&nbsp;</span>Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04874196097624413254noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7757255410148772862.post-3598562592979216422015-02-28T12:52:00.000-08:002015-04-06T13:08:38.666-07:00Snow Day Ramblings<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">My blog has moved to&nbsp;<a href="http://chroniclesofakeeper.com/" target="_blank">chroniclesofakeeper.com</a></span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Not a whole lot to write about today. We have been enjoying our little snow day(s). Even though I complain about winter, I do love the snow. It is so beautiful...a great reminder of everything new.&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AbSYnP8UcGw/VPIFjzcykqI/AAAAAAAABHM/ixar1Se0LxA/s1600/IMG_0406.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AbSYnP8UcGw/VPIFjzcykqI/AAAAAAAABHM/ixar1Se0LxA/s1600/IMG_0406.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-etoo0-XVdVw/VPIFkvrBoEI/AAAAAAAABHY/lM4xQriEMOY/s1600/IMG_0407.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-etoo0-XVdVw/VPIFkvrBoEI/AAAAAAAABHY/lM4xQriEMOY/s1600/IMG_0407.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Last night, I made some yummy fresh bread and some homemade chicken vegetable soup. It was all DELICIOUS; perfect for a cold and snowy evening. At first, Lil' Man complained about having to eat soup...but in the end, my soup won him over. He asked for it again this morning. You can get the recipe for the soup <a href="http://recipeknead.com/moms-creamy-chicken-soup/" target="_blank">here</a>&nbsp;and for the bread&nbsp;<a href="http://m.allrecipes.com/recipe/17215/best-bread-machine-bread/" target="_blank">here</a>.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Yesterday morning, we were getting ready to go outside and take care of the animals (this time I made sure he left the house when I did...there would be no waiting around for a "no show" this time) when he told me something of major concern to him. Apparently, it had been bothering him since the day before.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Lil' Man: "Mom, I need to tell you something."</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Me: "Yes."</span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Lil' Man: "Well, do you remember yesterday when you told me to put the clothes from the washer into the dryer? (I nod) "Well, &nbsp;<i>do you know </i>that&nbsp;dad told me to pick up the mess on the living room floor too??"</span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Me: "Okay..."</span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Lil' Man: "Don't you know I can't do two things at the same time?! It is impossible!"</span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Me: "I'm sorry, Daddy and I didn't know you had something else you were supposed to do when we asked you to do something."</span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Lil' Man: "Well, you guys need to pay attention. I can only do <i>one </i>thing at a time."</span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Cinderella, anyone???</span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Of course, in the story of Cinderella the little animal creatures loved her. Yesterday...the rooster pecked him. <i>He was NOT impressed</i>.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Life is not all that bad for Lil' Man though.&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">He was able to enjoy some snow time this morning after helping take care of the animals.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PfJulAelcWI/VPIFjeNCW_I/AAAAAAAABHA/qd4lV_9tzhI/s1600/IMG_0398.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PfJulAelcWI/VPIFjeNCW_I/AAAAAAAABHA/qd4lV_9tzhI/s1600/IMG_0398.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JoXAbPUAvm4/VPIFjqFLjsI/AAAAAAAABHs/87J84kbY-Z0/s1600/IMG_0405.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JoXAbPUAvm4/VPIFjqFLjsI/AAAAAAAABHs/87J84kbY-Z0/s1600/IMG_0405.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Trying to catch snowflakes on his tongue.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">He and his friend had a blast playing outside in the snow this afternoon...</span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WHFdEkHz4EA/VPImb8UBJII/AAAAAAAABIE/xZ3j8sXhTw0/s1600/IMG_0419.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WHFdEkHz4EA/VPImb8UBJII/AAAAAAAABIE/xZ3j8sXhTw0/s1600/IMG_0419.JPG" height="276" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nEkZzIf4zk0/VPImcKiO41I/AAAAAAAABIM/YaLzkRL8fBw/s1600/IMG_0420.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nEkZzIf4zk0/VPImcKiO41I/AAAAAAAABIM/YaLzkRL8fBw/s1600/IMG_0420.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">On Thursday, we got him his first Bible. He was so so very excited.&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">We looked at several different Bibles and then we found this one. We were all pretty excited about it. Our church is doing The Gospel Project and this Bible features it. So awesome.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">You can find out more about it&nbsp;<a href="http://www.gospelproject.com/2013/09/the-big-picture-interactive-bible-storybook-and-giveaway-2/" target="_blank">here</a>.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Here is a snippet&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">(that I&nbsp;</span><i style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">love)</i><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">&nbsp;from the above link</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">:</span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"</span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: adobe-garamond-pro, Garamond, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 19px; line-height: 30.7800006866455px;">Speaking of Jesus, Christ Connections help kids grasp how every story points to Jesus and His saving work on our behalf. Connecting the Old Testament stories to Jesus helps us see past the difficult Bible passages (like the cycles of sin and punishment at the time of judges and prophets) and focuses on Jesus, the only One who could pay the penalty for our sins once and for all."</span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XehxkP2E2O4/VPIITbxgynI/AAAAAAAABH4/z_ZMmsvr88k/s1600/TheBigPictureInteractiveBibleStorybook_CVR-768x1024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XehxkP2E2O4/VPIITbxgynI/AAAAAAAABH4/z_ZMmsvr88k/s1600/TheBigPictureInteractiveBibleStorybook_CVR-768x1024.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yXUk8jZK9OI/VPIFhxyPeFI/AAAAAAAABGo/yrNm7g3TjCo/s1600/IMG_0385.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yXUk8jZK9OI/VPIFhxyPeFI/AAAAAAAABGo/yrNm7g3TjCo/s1600/IMG_0385.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XPAem2CW7aQ/VPIFiS17SyI/AAAAAAAABGw/iP0AfHYVWCA/s1600/IMG_0386.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XPAem2CW7aQ/VPIFiS17SyI/AAAAAAAABGw/iP0AfHYVWCA/s1600/IMG_0386.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Lil' Man was so excited. He read it all the way home...about 50 minute drive. &nbsp;He was recalling so many of the stories he has learned at church and was excited to see where they were located in his Bible.&nbsp;</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qhz1LhjTD_I/VPIFhni2tFI/AAAAAAAABHg/1YtoRe03Q6I/s1600/IMG_0376.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qhz1LhjTD_I/VPIFhni2tFI/AAAAAAAABHg/1YtoRe03Q6I/s1600/IMG_0376.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">He thought it was pretty cool to have his name engraved on his Bible. When deciding which font style to have his name in...he chose the script font over the block font..."because it is so fancy!".&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Well, that is about all I have to say for right now. It is time to curl up with a book, enjoy my favorite essential oils that are diffusing, and procrastinate coming up with something for dinner.&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BmCVKcr3BOc/VPImcTxpK1I/AAAAAAAABIU/WvQqa23B970/s1600/IMG_0422.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BmCVKcr3BOc/VPImcTxpK1I/AAAAAAAABIU/WvQqa23B970/s1600/IMG_0422.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Happy snow day, friends. :)&nbsp;</span><br /><br />Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04874196097624413254noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7757255410148772862.post-24687846645282471592015-02-26T08:47:00.000-08:002015-04-06T13:03:36.944-07:00The Reluctant Homesteader: We Are Done with Winter<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;"></div><br /><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">**My blog has been moved to chroniclesofakeeper.com**</span></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Well, this week has not been all that exciting around here. We have not been able to spend much time playing with our goats, begin working in the garden or do anything else outdoorsy. Thanks to some frigid temps and some snow, it has been a bit miserable to be outdoors.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">One particularly cold and snowy morning this week, I discovered my little "helper" was otherwise indisposed to doing morning chores. This was, of course, after I was already outside waiting, watching for him, and...yes, waiting some more. He was <i>supposed </i>to be bringing the bucket of goat feed down. That never happened. I had to trudge my way back to the feed shed to get some food for them.&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Iqp83nwgVDc/VOzcX8yeb2I/AAAAAAAABFA/Xu4EoSARriA/s1600/IMG_0317.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Iqp83nwgVDc/VOzcX8yeb2I/AAAAAAAABFA/Xu4EoSARriA/s1600/IMG_0317.JPG" height="320" width="315" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Thankful for a warm coat while I was waiting...in the cold...while it was snowing...at 7:00 a.m.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I don't blame him though. No one wanted to be out in that weather. My chickens only came out long enough to get some food and a dribble of water to quench their thirst.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ot8yeux1vQg/VOzcXHPa1XI/AAAAAAAABFI/42E0S2N9snU/s1600/IMG_0306.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ot8yeux1vQg/VOzcXHPa1XI/AAAAAAAABFI/42E0S2N9snU/s1600/IMG_0306.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">My goats? Well, they did not go outside. Period. I read somewhere that goats don't really like to get wet. That, was no lie. My goats do not care for <i>any </i>form of&nbsp;precipitation. The whole day went by and they finally came out for about two minutes right before evening. Then, back into their warm and <i>dry</i>&nbsp;little abode they went.&nbsp;</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VtUYuk1oqWk/VOzcXG-8MLI/AAAAAAAABE0/HjjPp4H8-vs/s1600/IMG_0304.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VtUYuk1oqWk/VOzcXG-8MLI/AAAAAAAABE0/HjjPp4H8-vs/s1600/IMG_0304.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-L6kwZUySskY/VOzcXK2vtEI/AAAAAAAABE4/aI2NPuc17BQ/s1600/IMG_0305.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-L6kwZUySskY/VOzcXK2vtEI/AAAAAAAABE4/aI2NPuc17BQ/s1600/IMG_0305.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Our big excitement for the week was when that sneaky coyote decided to come back around one morning. He didn't get any chickens this time. I was able to run outside, scream and clap my hands, effectively scaring him away. I also, may or may not have made the best decision by trying to track him down...with my little&nbsp;9 mm. I wandered around for a while (which, by the way, made me&nbsp;late to my morning ladies' Bible Study)...but he was long gone.&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I hate that coyote. I literally&nbsp;<i>hate</i>&nbsp;him</span><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Well, off I go to prepare for the next round of winter weather. Here are some more pictures to enjoy of my little farmyard crew (ignore all the annoying shadows)...</span><br /><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eIEb_3CWAl4/VO4ykPE3OPI/AAAAAAAABFg/UotEmWb_CaM/s1600/IMG_0348.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eIEb_3CWAl4/VO4ykPE3OPI/AAAAAAAABFg/UotEmWb_CaM/s1600/IMG_0348.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I always have to include a picture of Miss Franny</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qWQsblrdZsM/VO4ykICMraI/AAAAAAAABFk/Tt8cMsZehmU/s1600/IMG_0353.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qWQsblrdZsM/VO4ykICMraI/AAAAAAAABFk/Tt8cMsZehmU/s1600/IMG_0353.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Isn't this little grass box nifty? L made it so they could have fresh grass to eat without destroying the grass. They LOVE it.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QvP8GutwJnQ/VO4ykw5ioPI/AAAAAAAABFw/5NTAE9egVhk/s1600/IMG_0356.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QvP8GutwJnQ/VO4ykw5ioPI/AAAAAAAABFw/5NTAE9egVhk/s1600/IMG_0356.JPG" height="320" width="265" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Miss Galina (<i>Greek</i>,&nbsp;not to be confused with the&nbsp;Spanish&nbsp;word <i>gallina)</i>...I think she is so beautiful.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-usArIYgjIwA/VO4zNFvV_SI/AAAAAAAABGE/KzZegHv5Uzc/s1600/IMG_0345.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-usArIYgjIwA/VO4zNFvV_SI/AAAAAAAABGE/KzZegHv5Uzc/s1600/IMG_0345.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Enjoying an apple</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sKoFAdfwPPw/VO4zNj5kPAI/AAAAAAAABGI/K9oAgAkULR8/s1600/IMG_0346.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sKoFAdfwPPw/VO4zNj5kPAI/AAAAAAAABGI/K9oAgAkULR8/s1600/IMG_0346.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Josie does <i>not</i>&nbsp;like to share with Shiloh. She sneezed at her (which also sprayed onto me) and would head butt her to keep her away from the apple.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AQceC_Pr1sc/VO4yj3hmX2I/AAAAAAAABFc/DOmgIJSCzF8/s1600/IMG_0340.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AQceC_Pr1sc/VO4yj3hmX2I/AAAAAAAABFc/DOmgIJSCzF8/s1600/IMG_0340.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Josie. I decided to go with Josie as her name. Her attitude <i>often </i>reminds me of Josie Pye, from Anne of Green Gables.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--GxrUM7sz_k/VO4zNGgE28I/AAAAAAAABGA/zZPTDav16Yw/s1600/IMG_0341.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--GxrUM7sz_k/VO4zNGgE28I/AAAAAAAABGA/zZPTDav16Yw/s1600/IMG_0341.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Sweet, little, skittish Shiloh</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04874196097624413254noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7757255410148772862.post-88874496778930272232015-02-22T06:55:00.001-08:002015-04-09T21:56:09.623-07:00My Story<i><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large; line-height: 18.5714282989502px;">This blog has moved to <a href="http://chroniclesofakeeper.com/">chroniclesofakeeper.com</a>&nbsp;</span></i><br /><i><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-small; line-height: 18.5714282989502px;"><br /></span></i><i><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-small; line-height: 18.5714282989502px;">The grace that saves them is the free <u>undeserved</u> goodness and favour of God; and he saves them, not&nbsp;</span><span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-small; line-height: 18.5714282989502px;">by the works of&nbsp;</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-small; line-height: 18.5714282989502px;"></span><span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-small; line-height: 18.5714282989502px;">the law,</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-small; line-height: 18.5714282989502px;">&nbsp;but through faith in Christ Jesus, by means of which they come to partake of the great blessings of the gospel; and both that faith and that salvation on which it has so great an influence are the gift of God. - &nbsp;<a href="http://www.biblestudytools.com/commentaries/matthew-henry-complete/ephesians/2.html">Matthew Henry Commentary</a></span></i><br /><i><br /></i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Have you ever had that moment when something you have heard/read over and over <i>finally </i>makes sense? I mean, the reality of it just hits you square in the face and you are left stunned, wondering why it has never sunk in before.&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I blog about a lot of things...but, if you read anything I write, I am sure you have noticed that I tend to talk about God, Jesus, The Gospel, and grace...a lot. One thing I have never shared, is <i>why</i>. When you are consumed with something, it tends to be a part of every thing you say and do.&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Let me share "my story" with you.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Ephesians 2:8-9 tell us that,&nbsp;<span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 25px;">For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God,&nbsp;</span><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 25px;">not a result of works, so that no one may boast. (ESV)</span></span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 25px;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I spent the better part of my life trying to be "good enough" for God. Even though I was saved as a young girl, I still thought I bore the responsibility of making sure I kept my salvation safe by being good and doing my best never to sin. Religious legalism at its finest.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">This poor young girl (me) felt the heaviness of sin...it was a weight too great to bear. So&nbsp;every time&nbsp;I <i>felt&nbsp;</i>like I had sinned...I would ask Jesus to come back into my heart. I figured if I was sinning, I must not have really been a Christian.&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Guilt, shame, and fear is what drove me in my "relationship" with God. I <i>needed</i>&nbsp;to please Him and <i>earn</i>&nbsp;His favor by - going to church (as often as I could), memorizing scripture, abstaining from all the sinful shenanigans all my other friends were engaging in. This mentality led me down a path to self-righteousness and, ultimately, a life apart from God and His mercy, grace and redemption.&nbsp;</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Feeling like a constant failure, it became easier to believe in God and just not think about having a relationship with Him. I loved Him. That never changed. I just...was tired.&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I stopped reading His Word, going to church was no longer important (until we had Lil' Man, then guilt drove me to making sure he had a church to go to...but that would only be when it was convenient. Which, was not often.), and my lifestyle reeked of worldly things. Even though I thought I had made things "easier" on myself with my new version of being a Christian...I still could not get rid of that fear and guilt. It was always silently gnawing at me.&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">A few years ago I felt God drawing me near. &nbsp;A <i>real</i>&nbsp;relationship with Him is what I so desperately wanted.&nbsp;<i>&nbsp;</i>But there was that struggle...my mind was still wanting me to think that me being a good moral person who loves God = a happy fulfilled Christian. I was slipping back to a place where I had already been.&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">This is where I am thankful for a God that cares for me, <i>despite</i>&nbsp;myself.&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">He listened to the prayers of my mom and dad, who saw a struggling daughter. He gave courage to them to not be afraid to prod me and challenge me in my belief in and walk with God.&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">He paved the way for my brother, who in his mission work overseas, was ministering to my heart during our many skype conversations.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">He led my family to a church where The Gospel message is not only taught, but lived out. It was in Sunday School where the sweet beautiful message of God's great grace and mercy was&nbsp;exemplified through&nbsp;our Sunday School teachers. It all finally began to sink in. The children's director invited us to have Miss Priss dedicated and in our pre-dedication class her words to us, the sweet words of The Gospel Message, resonated so soundly. We are so thankful to be a part of this wonderful group of believers and love that they are our church family.&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Since, discovering the true meaning of Ephesians 2:8-9, my life has changed. I <i>know</i>&nbsp;that I am <b>undeserved </b>of salvation. I no longer seek to <i>earn </i>it. It is a gift of grace, through Jesus Christ.&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I wake up every day <i>knowing</i>&nbsp;I am a sinner. I know I am flawed. I know that every.single.day I need to die to my sins and cling to Jesus. I can't live a sin free life, day, moment on my own. It is <i>in</i> Jesus, <i>through</i> Jesus, and <i>because</i> of Jesus that I am made new. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">"</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">Therefore, if anyone is&nbsp;</span><span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-ESV-28878A" data-link="(&lt;a href=&quot;#cen-ESV-28878A&quot; title=&quot;See cross-reference A&quot;&gt;A&lt;/a&gt;)" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">in Christ, he is&nbsp;</span><span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-ESV-28878B" data-link="(&lt;a href=&quot;#cen-ESV-28878B&quot; title=&quot;See cross-reference B&quot;&gt;B&lt;/a&gt;)" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">a new creation.</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10px; line-height: 22px;">&nbsp;</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">The old has passed away; behold, the new has come." 2 Corinthians 5:17&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 24px;"><b>Letting go of religion and clinging to Jesus has been the best thing that has ever happened to me</b>.&nbsp;</span></span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 24px;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 24px;">Reading God's Word, memorizing Scripture, going to church...all the things I would do before to <i>please</i>&nbsp;God, I do now because I love God and desire to know Him more. I know that doing these things do not guarantee my salvation, but they do, rather, sustain me. Reading my Bible isn't a chore to cross off my to-do list, praying isn't something I do when I happen to remember while in the shower or driving down the road. It is a time I have come to covet and enjoy.&nbsp;</span></span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 24px;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 24px;">The last couple of years have been the best years of my life. God is doing awesome things in and through me. My marriage and my family are alive and thriving because of Him. <i>T</i></span></span><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 25px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>o the only wise God be glory forevermore through Jesus Christ! Amen. </i>(Romans 16:27)</span></span><br /><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 25px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 25px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">As my Sunday School teacher would say...It's all about the simple Gospel Message.</span></span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 24px;"><br /></span></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RjjtsdzoeEg/VOlTluTZ-SI/AAAAAAAABEg/6bFF7fu8QuQ/s1600/IMG_0288.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RjjtsdzoeEg/VOlTluTZ-SI/AAAAAAAABEg/6bFF7fu8QuQ/s1600/IMG_0288.JPG" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 24px;"><br /></span></span><br /><br />Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04874196097624413254noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7757255410148772862.post-40518047350551857152015-02-20T09:44:00.000-08:002015-04-09T22:01:23.662-07:00The Reluctant Homesteader: Chickens and Goats<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>This blog has moved to <a href="http://chroniclesofakeeper.com/">chroniclesofakeeper.com</a></b></span><br /><div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We were at Atwoods yesterday picking up a few things for our little farm and we were in the store only a few moments, when I heard it. The sounds of cute, little, fluffy chicks! I left L looking at some clearance table and me the kids made a dash to the chick corral.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">One of my favorite times is when they bring in the new chicks. It was all I could do to not scoop up some of them and bring them home with me. Lil' Man felt the same way. He is used to being able to pick out a few chicks every spring and then raise them inside until they are big enough to go out the big chicken yard. It is such a fun (albeit, at times, stinky and messy) experience.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">**I<i>t is definitely a&nbsp;commitment, so please don't run off and buy some chicks that you aren't able to (or won't properly) take care of. Just go visit your local feed stores to admire them. I do hate seeing all the chicks being bought at Easter time by people who will end up killing them by not taking care of them correctly.**</i></span></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This year, we bought some young hens that should be close to laying. In fact, one of them has began to lay. It is an ever-so-tiny egg...I am pretty sure that is is crazy (she behaves like she was dropped on her head as a young chick) Franny who is my current layer. She is the family favorite. How can you <i>not</i>&nbsp;love her?!</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yo596drRuXg/VOdfIjNU2yI/AAAAAAAABC0/56QZGMHsjks/s1600/IMG_0284.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yo596drRuXg/VOdfIjNU2yI/AAAAAAAABC0/56QZGMHsjks/s1600/IMG_0284.JPG" height="320" width="109" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qF1EhLHDWe4/VOdfI-35xTI/AAAAAAAABC4/m1MyMcY39N4/s1600/IMG_9956.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qF1EhLHDWe4/VOdfI-35xTI/AAAAAAAABC4/m1MyMcY39N4/s1600/IMG_9956.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div></div><div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I did find out this week, that I do not have 7 hens and 1 rooster...like originally thought. I was watching Bertha (remember our&nbsp;Behemoth&nbsp;of a hen)</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">&nbsp;do some very questionable things this last week. You know, things that make Lil' Man say, "Ohhh, chickens like to lay on top of each other to stay warm.". Then, yesterday "she" also started crowing...it sounded terrible. I call it the awkward-teenage-boy crow. So, Bertha...is now just Bert, our other rooster.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hTvxQV4_WfI/VOdb9OSLDxI/AAAAAAAABBw/pak79H785NM/s1600/IMG_0268.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hTvxQV4_WfI/VOdb9OSLDxI/AAAAAAAABBw/pak79H785NM/s1600/IMG_0268.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div><div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Miss Priss loves being out with and chasing the chickens.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-g2DjMAgBxWc/VOdb-aq4QII/AAAAAAAABB4/jWg19TRQky4/s1600/IMG_0270.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-g2DjMAgBxWc/VOdb-aq4QII/AAAAAAAABB4/jWg19TRQky4/s1600/IMG_0270.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div><div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We are now one week into our new venture of owning goats and I have officially spent WAY too many hours reading how-to articles and blogs about goats and caring for them. I want to make sure we are doing everything...the right way.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">&nbsp;This first week has been, I guess what I would call the "honeymoon phase". The chores haven't become <i>chorish </i>and every little thing we get to do for our goats is fun. Even filling up their water container is an excitement because we get to be out there with them.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ubYcoiSAJQM/VOdb9Gfz7lI/AAAAAAAABBs/dQh_AwZoOFc/s1600/IMG_0261.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ubYcoiSAJQM/VOdb9Gfz7lI/AAAAAAAABBs/dQh_AwZoOFc/s1600/IMG_0261.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We have enjoyed hand-feeding our goats treats, like apples, while talking to and petting them.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xYDy1RmM7Eg/VOdb-8o2J6I/AAAAAAAABB0/v13m7DDOchQ/s1600/IMG_0272.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xYDy1RmM7Eg/VOdb-8o2J6I/AAAAAAAABB0/v13m7DDOchQ/s1600/IMG_0272.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">One morning, while the goats were bunking with the chickens,&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I went out to begin my routine of getting my animals taken care of</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">&nbsp;and</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">&nbsp;I was <i>convinced </i>someone had stolen my goat. Shiloh was missing. She was not where I locked her up with the other one the night before. Then I heard a little ruckus </span><i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">inside </i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">the actual chicken coop area.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I then saw this:</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rYDHVsBK7SI/VOdfM5qzl1I/AAAAAAAABDE/Kyh25BX0cJs/s1600/IMG_0017.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rYDHVsBK7SI/VOdfM5qzl1I/AAAAAAAABDE/Kyh25BX0cJs/s1600/IMG_0017.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">When they say goats can fit through small areas, they weren't joking.</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here is the Chicken/goat duplex (Chickens on the left and goats on the right):</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-i9MYHgo4hIc/VOdfMw-J4PI/AAAAAAAABDI/KwsRjfVqjnw/s1600/IMG_0263.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-i9MYHgo4hIc/VOdfMw-J4PI/AAAAAAAABDI/KwsRjfVqjnw/s1600/IMG_0263.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div><div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uPKr21JOyNs/VOdb_I7bpkI/AAAAAAAABCY/rXDrbelfB_4/s1600/IMG_0275.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uPKr21JOyNs/VOdb_I7bpkI/AAAAAAAABCY/rXDrbelfB_4/s1600/IMG_0275.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Inside their little home:</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1T9mcaHIgSo/VOdb_ncVoSI/AAAAAAAABCA/ZO4T_AC82cQ/s1600/IMG_0279.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1T9mcaHIgSo/VOdb_ncVoSI/AAAAAAAABCA/ZO4T_AC82cQ/s1600/IMG_0279.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SvjCkrGGylI/VOdcAC5JxzI/AAAAAAAABCE/ZVbfuUYY9YM/s1600/IMG_0281.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SvjCkrGGylI/VOdcAC5JxzI/AAAAAAAABCE/ZVbfuUYY9YM/s1600/IMG_0281.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Now, if we could just come up with a name for our sweet (sometimes spunky) doe. Any suggestions are welcome. I can't just give her any name. It has to...fit her.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04874196097624413254noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7757255410148772862.post-62740006412350206022015-02-13T10:57:00.000-08:002015-04-09T22:10:23.308-07:00Valentine's What?<span style="font-size: large;">This blog has moved to chroniclesofkeeper.com</span><br /><br />This weekend is the ever-hyped, but mostly dreaded, Valentine's Day. People that are single, dread and bemoan it. I remember. People that have a special someone, often stress out over this holiday more than Christmas. The pressure is <i>there</i>. It is the day where everything is supposed to be magically perfect.<br /><div><br /></div><div>We don't do Valentine's Day at our house. Early on in our relationship we discovered this is the day we ended up fighting the most and getting the most irritated with each other by holding each other (and <b>this day</b>)&nbsp;to a ridiculous standard. We aren't perfect the rest of the 364 days of the year, so why should we expect perfection from each other on that one day?&nbsp;</div><div><br /></div><div>We aren't grumpy unhappy people, we just do things a little different for/on V-day. We do fun little things with the kids, we sometimes get each other things (usually in the form of Twizzlers (for him) or chocolate (for me) (and not the fancy expensive kind...the good kind, you know, like Hershey's kisses and M&amp;M's). We bought each other fishing licenses one year. We are just...real with each other. We don't make reservations and drop the kids off somewhere. We will probably be eating Taco Bueno, pizza, or McDonalds (yes, we are <i>those</i>&nbsp;people who actually eat there). We learned we are imperfect individuals made perfect in Christ, not each other.&nbsp;</div><div><br /></div><div>Everyday, in one way or another, we show love to each other and find ways to celebrate each other and what we have in each other. (<i>Please do not misunderstand this by thinking we walk around smelling roses and dance some sort of Cinderella waltz all day. Like I said, we are imperfect. We just choose not to dwell and fester on the imperfections.)</i><br /><br />Sometimes, our love is in the things that are said (or not said).</div><div><br /></div><div>When my husband (while at work) receives this message a few days ago from me...</div><div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--hB9bdwBro4/VN44ymRoEaI/AAAAAAAAA-s/tXuwdcAeqH4/s1600/FullSizeRender.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--hB9bdwBro4/VN44ymRoEaI/AAAAAAAAA-s/tXuwdcAeqH4/s1600/FullSizeRender.jpg" height="221" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>He doesn't freak out on me. He doesn't get mad thinking of the work he will have to do to help make this happen. He just...loves me, his imperfect, sometimes spontaneous, should-have-checked-with-her-husband-first wife.&nbsp;</div><div><br /></div><div>I, in turn, do not go all...</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-INfyl93a9Gw/VN46Rhb-cqI/AAAAAAAAA_A/EsiAf1g8wzI/s1600/images.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-INfyl93a9Gw/VN46Rhb-cqI/AAAAAAAAA_A/EsiAf1g8wzI/s1600/images.jpg" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>See...love...in the midst of our imperfections.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>In case you are curious...the goat thing, <i>did </i>happen. Here is where we are with that.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Picking up the goats:</div><div><br /></div><div>First we helped vaccinate and deworm them:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=7757255410148772862" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gDEdu9DcrJg/VN47z4bRVMI/AAAAAAAAA_Q/1G-eVqNjoQE/s1600/IMG_9979.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gDEdu9DcrJg/VN47z4bRVMI/AAAAAAAAA_Q/1G-eVqNjoQE/s1600/IMG_9979.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Mqd97JOurbs/VN47zdi0h4I/AAAAAAAAA_M/fWf-SNv-jbk/s1600/IMG_9980.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Mqd97JOurbs/VN47zdi0h4I/AAAAAAAAA_M/fWf-SNv-jbk/s1600/IMG_9980.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yRwotd-b4ms/VN47zy9tecI/AAAAAAAAA_U/v5jQQfU7v-8/s1600/IMG_9982.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yRwotd-b4ms/VN47zy9tecI/AAAAAAAAA_U/v5jQQfU7v-8/s1600/IMG_9982.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div><br />Then it was time to load them up and head home:<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-N619hWf-bDc/VN470b4r-ZI/AAAAAAAAA_c/lnYooFx3Hk4/s1600/IMG_9983.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-N619hWf-bDc/VN470b4r-ZI/AAAAAAAAA_c/lnYooFx3Hk4/s1600/IMG_9983.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7e-gelBuFJA/VN4-LG2rPpI/AAAAAAAABBY/GnFhGOYMmjk/s1600/FullSizeRender%2B(3).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7e-gelBuFJA/VN4-LG2rPpI/AAAAAAAABBY/GnFhGOYMmjk/s1600/FullSizeRender%2B(3).jpg" height="320" width="262" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Now, time to introduce them to their new home:</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NmK1SkX-24Q/VN48JHHJn3I/AAAAAAAAA_s/SBciQy0Hfs8/s1600/IMG_9988.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NmK1SkX-24Q/VN48JHHJn3I/AAAAAAAAA_s/SBciQy0Hfs8/s1600/IMG_9988.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mYTTpEtordI/VN48JQDB-JI/AAAAAAAAA_w/wdBp1VPDdtY/s1600/IMG_9989.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mYTTpEtordI/VN48JQDB-JI/AAAAAAAAA_w/wdBp1VPDdtY/s1600/IMG_9989.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-h9qxa-EJqUQ/VN48JA1DOBI/AAAAAAAAA_0/wzhdNPikRzc/s1600/IMG_9990.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-h9qxa-EJqUQ/VN48JA1DOBI/AAAAAAAAA_0/wzhdNPikRzc/s1600/IMG_9990.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ob9dgwml4Ic/VN48KBsJqjI/AAAAAAAABAE/0iE2exFVwog/s1600/IMG_9992.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ob9dgwml4Ic/VN48KBsJqjI/AAAAAAAABAE/0iE2exFVwog/s1600/IMG_9992.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Then it was time for L to get to work</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-12eRbE_494w/VN48khCdmyI/AAAAAAAABBA/tUJfjV9Hrw4/s1600/IMG_9999.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-12eRbE_494w/VN48khCdmyI/AAAAAAAABBA/tUJfjV9Hrw4/s1600/IMG_9999.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-C5xToZuNtC4/VN48iydV6II/AAAAAAAABAg/0Z4WQkRqquU/s1600/FullSizeRender%2B(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-C5xToZuNtC4/VN48iydV6II/AAAAAAAABAg/0Z4WQkRqquU/s1600/FullSizeRender%2B(2).jpg" height="242" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>I'll update on our little goat shed later...in the meantime, they are bunking with the chickens.</div><div><br /></div><div>Lil' Man is loving the goats too:</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lzenR6LuS2I/VN48kYCMsxI/AAAAAAAABA8/JybjBUdqGNQ/s1600/IMG_9998.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lzenR6LuS2I/VN48kYCMsxI/AAAAAAAABA8/JybjBUdqGNQ/s1600/IMG_9998.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Although, he wasn't crazy about helping out in the early cold morning , he still did...with a sort of happy heart:</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-V9IsilbL0GE/VN48h6YoGoI/AAAAAAAABAQ/FnOYZtJ8LBE/s1600/IMG_0006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-V9IsilbL0GE/VN48h6YoGoI/AAAAAAAABAQ/FnOYZtJ8LBE/s1600/IMG_0006.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WSI9x-Pi_tw/VN48iUQahgI/AAAAAAAABAY/dpl8JK1Cd9U/s1600/IMG_0009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WSI9x-Pi_tw/VN48iUQahgI/AAAAAAAABAY/dpl8JK1Cd9U/s1600/IMG_0009.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Wu0M__d3QuY/VN48jmgXw6I/AAAAAAAABAs/N7jRaizUagM/s1600/IMG_0010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Wu0M__d3QuY/VN48jmgXw6I/AAAAAAAABAs/N7jRaizUagM/s1600/IMG_0010.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We are excited to add Miss Shiloh and Miss ? (we are renaming Vicki) to our little family. We are hoping for some yummy milk this summer!&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So, happy Valentine's Day, y'all. I hope everyone has a great weekend celebrating...be that with your special someone or your friend who will stay up with you, eat way too much ice cream and watch a ridiculous amount of Netflix with you. :) &nbsp;</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04874196097624413254noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7757255410148772862.post-71535355891016846832015-02-05T12:34:00.001-08:002015-04-29T09:30:44.521-07:00For the Love of...ProjectsYou can view this post <a href="http://chroniclesofakeeper.com/2015/04/29/projects-kitchen-and-dining-room/" target="_blank">here</a>Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04874196097624413254noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7757255410148772862.post-33992371611707024282015-02-02T19:34:00.002-08:002015-04-09T22:28:08.772-07:00#BLESSED<div class="yiv2271639406" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1422932100557_13327" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">This blog has moved to chroniclesofakeeper.com</span><br /><div style="font-family: HelveticaNeue, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 10px;"><span class="yiv2271639406" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: HelveticaNeue, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 10px;"><span class="yiv2271639406" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1422932100557_13326" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">This afternoon, after a fun morning with Lil Man's CC (Classical Conversations) group, we were on our way home reviewing our new week of information as we were driving home. After about 15 minutes of it, my mind began to drift away from Theodore Roosevelt and onto the things I needed to get done today. First on the list, find someone to come pump our septic tank...because, of course that decided to go kaput on us too.&nbsp;</span><span class="yiv2271639406" style="font-size: 13.5pt;"></span></div></div><div class="yiv2271639406" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1422932100557_13422" style="font-family: HelveticaNeue, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 10px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span class="yiv2271639406" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><br /></span></div><div class="yiv2271639406" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1422932100557_13422" style="font-family: HelveticaNeue, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 10px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span class="yiv2271639406" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1422932100557_13421" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">I started to let myself get frustrated and down as I began making call after call getting different quotes...from the not-so-bad to the you-have-got-to-be-kidding-me prices...I heard it all. I finally took a break and went to do a stress relieving activity. I cleaned. In the midst of sweeping and going through the house trying to find all the dirty diapers that were in all kinds of places but the trash, I began to think of the verse from Lamentations - "his mercies never come to an end".</span><span class="yiv2271639406" style="font-size: 13.5pt;"></span></div><div class="yiv2271639406" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1422932100557_13423" style="font-family: HelveticaNeue, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 10px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"></div><div class="yiv2271639406" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1422932100557_13425" style="font-family: HelveticaNeue, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 10px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span class="yiv2271639406" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1422932100557_13424" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">I took a break from my little diaper Easter egg hunt and went to my Bible and opened up to the book of Lamentations, chapter 3. Instead of reading just the verse that I was thinking about, I decided to read the whole chapter. The more I read, the more I was pulled in.&nbsp;</span><span class="yiv2271639406" style="font-size: 13.5pt;"></span></div><div class="yiv2271639406" style="font-family: HelveticaNeue, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 10px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"></div><div class="yiv2271639406" style="font-family: HelveticaNeue, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 10px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span class="yiv2271639406" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">The despair, though tragic, was written so beautifully. I love how God includes all forms of writing in His Word...including poetry. I was completely drawn to every word. After I was done reading, I immediately went to my computer and typed Matthew Henry's Commentary on Lamentations 3 into my Google search bar. I had to know more.&nbsp;</span><span class="yiv2271639406" style="font-size: 13.5pt;"></span></div><div class="yiv2271639406" style="font-family: HelveticaNeue, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 10px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"></div><div class="yiv2271639406" style="font-family: HelveticaNeue, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 10px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span class="yiv2271639406" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">One of my favorite parts of the commentary was this paragraph - "While there is life there is hope; and instead of complaining that things are bad, we should encourage ourselves with the hope they will be better. We are sinful men, and what we complain of, is far less than our sins deserve. We should complain to God, and not of him. We are apt, in times of calamity, to reflect on other people's ways, and blame them; but our duty is to search and try our own ways, that we may turn from evil to God. Our hearts must go with our prayers.</span><span class="yiv2271639406" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">&nbsp;</span><b class="yiv2271639406"><span class="yiv2271639406" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">If inward impressions do not answer to outward expressions, we mock God, and deceive ourselves.</span></b><span class="yiv2271639406" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">" (<a class="yiv2271639406" href="http://www.christnotes.org/commentary.php?com=mhc&amp;b=25&amp;c=3" rel="nofollow" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #196ad4; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;" target="_blank"><span class="yiv2271639406" style="color: windowtext;">Matthew Henry Commentary</span></a>)</span><span class="yiv2271639406" style="font-size: 13.5pt;"></span></div><div class="yiv2271639406" style="font-family: HelveticaNeue, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 10px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"></div><div class="yiv2271639406" style="font-family: HelveticaNeue, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 10px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span class="yiv2271639406" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">The last couple of weeks have been difficult for my family...but not just mine. I have been surrounded by friends and loved ones who are experiencing so many types of calamities in their life. People I love dearly are carrying incredibly heavy burdens right now and it is so hard not to feel the despair.&nbsp;</span><span class="yiv2271639406" style="font-size: 13.5pt;"></span></div><div class="yiv2271639406" style="font-family: HelveticaNeue, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 10px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"></div><div class="yiv2271639406" style="font-size: 10px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span class="yiv2271639406" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">How beautiful it is, though, to read</span><span class="yiv2271639406" style="font-family: HelveticaNeue, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">&nbsp;</span><i class="yiv2271639406" style="font-family: HelveticaNeue, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif;"><span class="yiv2271639406" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">and</span></i><span class="yiv2271639406" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">&nbsp;believe these words:</span><span class="yiv2271639406" style="font-family: HelveticaNeue, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">&nbsp;</span><span class="yiv2271639406" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">"The steadfast love of the&nbsp;</span><span class="yiv2271639406" style="font-family: HelveticaNeue, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt; font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span><span class="yiv2271639406" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">&nbsp;never ceases;&nbsp;</span><span class="yiv2271639406" style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><span style="font-family: HelveticaNeue, Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, Lucida Grande, sans-serif;">&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">his mercies never come to an end;&nbsp;</span></span><span class="yiv2271639406" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">they are new&nbsp;every morning;&nbsp;great is your faithfulness.&nbsp;“The&nbsp;</span><span class="yiv2271639406" style="font-size: 13.5pt; font-variant: small-caps;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Lord</span></span><span class="yiv2271639406" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">&nbsp;is my portion,” says my soul, 'therefore I will hope in him.'". - Lamentations 3:22-24</span><span style="font-family: HelveticaNeue, Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, Lucida Grande, sans-serif;"><span class="yiv2271639406" style="font-size: 13.5pt; font-size: 13.5pt;"></span></span></div><div class="yiv2271639406" style="font-family: HelveticaNeue, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 10px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"></div><div class="yiv2271639406" style="font-family: HelveticaNeue, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 10px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span class="yiv2271639406" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">God is good. In every and all situations, He is good.&nbsp;</span><span class="yiv2271639406" style="font-size: 13.5pt;"></span></div><div class="yiv2271639406" style="font-family: HelveticaNeue, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 10px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"></div><div class="yiv2271639406" style="font-family: HelveticaNeue, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 10px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span class="yiv2271639406" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">It is so easy to be</span><span class="yiv2271639406" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">&nbsp;</span><b class="yiv2271639406"><span class="yiv2271639406" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">#blessed</span></b><b class="yiv2271639406"><span class="yiv2271639406" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">&nbsp;</span></b><span class="yiv2271639406" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">and tell the world you are "feeling</span><span class="yiv2271639406" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">&nbsp;</span><b class="yiv2271639406"><span class="yiv2271639406" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">blessed"</span></b><span class="yiv2271639406" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">&nbsp;when things are going good and great things are happening for you. I get it. I feel totally blessed in those situations, because they are</span><span class="yiv2271639406" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">&nbsp;</span><i class="yiv2271639406"><span class="yiv2271639406" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">blessings</span></i><span class="yiv2271639406" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">&nbsp;</span><span class="yiv2271639406" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">from God.</span><span class="yiv2271639406" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">&nbsp;</span><span class="yiv2271639406" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">"Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers.&nbsp;Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change." James 1:16-17</span><span class="yiv2271639406" style="font-size: 13.5pt;"></span></div><div class="yiv2271639406" style="font-family: HelveticaNeue, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 10px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"></div><div class="yiv2271639406" id="yiv2271639406yui_3_16_0_1_1422932100557_7932" style="font-family: HelveticaNeue, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 10px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span class="yiv2271639406" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">I also know that I am not blessed</span><span class="yiv2271639406" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">&nbsp;</span><i class="yiv2271639406"><span class="yiv2271639406" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">because</span></i><span class="yiv2271639406" id="yiv2271639406yui_3_16_0_1_1422932100557_7931" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">&nbsp;of good things. I am blessed because I have a God who loves me and&nbsp;is so ridiculously crazy about me&nbsp;that He sent a Rescuer to save me. I have the assurance that He will never leave me, nor forsake me (Hebrews 13:5). I am blessed because God is with me in good times and bad. I am blessed by the promises of my Redeemer...promises like these - "The&nbsp;</span><span class="yiv2271639406" style="font-size: 13.5pt; font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span><span class="yiv2271639406" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">&nbsp;is near to&nbsp;the brokenhearted</span><span class="yiv2271639406" style="font-size: 13.5pt;"></span></div><div class="yiv2271639406" id="yiv2271639406yui_3_16_0_1_1422932100557_7930" style="font-size: 10px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span class="yiv2271639406" id="yiv2271639406yui_3_16_0_1_1422932100557_7929" style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">and saves&nbsp;the crushed in spirit." Psalm 34:18</span></span><span style="font-family: HelveticaNeue, Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, Lucida Grande, sans-serif;"><span class="yiv2271639406" style="font-size: 12pt; font-size: 12pt;"></span></span></div><div class="yiv2271639406" style="font-family: HelveticaNeue, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 10px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"></div><div class="yiv2271639406" id="yiv2271639406yui_3_16_0_1_1422932100557_7921" style="font-family: HelveticaNeue, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 10px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span class="yiv2271639406" id="yiv2271639406yui_3_16_0_1_1422932100557_7920" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">I love the words in the song "Praise You in This Storm" by Casting Crowns..."And I'll praise You in this storm and I will lift my hands, for You are who You are no matter where I am."&nbsp;</span><span class="yiv2271639406" style="font-size: 13.5pt;"></span></div><div class="yiv2271639406" id="yiv2271639406yui_3_16_0_1_1422932100557_7922" style="font-family: HelveticaNeue, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 10px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"></div><div style="font-family: HelveticaNeue, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 10px;"></div><div class="yiv2271639406" id="yiv2271639406yui_3_16_0_1_1422932100557_7924" style="font-family: HelveticaNeue, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 10px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span class="yiv2271639406" id="yiv2271639406yui_3_16_0_1_1422932100557_7923" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">I am so glad God reminded me today of His promises and His goodness.&nbsp;Challenge yourself along with me to let Jesus shine in your life...in all times, but especially in the dark times, the sad times, the poor times. The world needs to see that God is good, not because of what we</span><span class="yiv2271639406" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">&nbsp;</span><i class="yiv2271639406"><span class="yiv2271639406" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">have</span></i><span class="yiv2271639406" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">&nbsp;but what we</span><span class="yiv2271639406" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">&nbsp;</span><i class="yiv2271639406" id="yiv2271639406yui_3_16_0_1_1422932100557_7926"><span class="yiv2271639406" id="yiv2271639406yui_3_16_0_1_1422932100557_7925" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">have in Him.</span></i><span class="yiv2271639406" style="font-size: 13.5pt;"></span></div><div><i class="yiv2271639406"><span class="yiv2271639406" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><br /></span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YLNyitM-0V0/VNBBMo1WoQI/AAAAAAAAA-Y/7MSBJXPBS-E/s1600/IMG_9655.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YLNyitM-0V0/VNBBMo1WoQI/AAAAAAAAA-Y/7MSBJXPBS-E/s1600/IMG_9655.JPG" height="320" width="214" /></a></div><div><i class="yiv2271639406"><span class="yiv2271639406" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><br /></span></i></div>Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04874196097624413254noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7757255410148772862.post-48607708120789116432015-01-26T16:17:00.001-08:002015-04-09T22:32:17.770-07:00Ugh...<span style="font-size: large;">This blog has moved to chroniclesofakeeper.com</span><br /><br />75 degrees, minimal wind, abundant sunshine beaming down...it is a soothing balm to my soul today. I'm sitting out here with Miss Priss and Lil' Man watching them...just be. I needed this today, they needed this today. <br /><br />3 sick kids, a week of doctor visits (100 unexpected dollars worth of doctor visits) with ear infections, coughs, congestion and the occasional vomit episode or two has really worn on all of us. Our household has consisted of essential oils being diffused, saturating various items with Lysol, laundry load upon laundry load being done (with an ever increasing "needs to be ironed" pile accumulating as a direct result), keeping up with medication schedules to get over said ear infections, and, of course, I would be remiss in forgetting to mention that sleep has not been much of a friend at our house...in fact, I think he is vacationing far far away from my house these days.<br /><br />Friends, this is just the tip of the iceberg. We have also had our refrigerator and freezer go out on us. Food was lost, liquid gold was dumped down the drain (breast milk), and a family of five is trying to live out of a mini-fridge from my old dorm room and a not-so-big deep freezer. After waiting ALL weekend...we were so excited for Mr. Fix-it to come out and mend our broken appliance. He rattled off what was wrong...I heard something about a compressor...something about having to order a special part...the only piece of information I really remember was him saying it could be 3-5 days before the part will arrive <i>if</i> he can find the part and order it today. The guy didn't stick around much longer after that, maybe it was because of the crazed look I got in my eyes at the thought of continuing to live a week (or more) without a fridge and freezer. <br /><br />BUT...just in case we didn't have enough going on...we had another little incident. One that infuriated me as much as it almost made me cry. We have this utterly obnoxious coyote that likes to come around every few months or so and, well, pretty much wipe-out my little brood of chickens. He decided to come by yesterday and take two of my laying hens, which in turn led me to Google "coyote problems", "how to get rid of coyotes", and "who to hire to trap and kill a coyote that is killing off my chickens". Although this incident greatly frustrated all of us and made us sad...no one was more affected and angered by this than, Lucky, our rooster (having escaped the last 5 attacks from the coyote, hence the name, Lucky). The coyote took away his manly rooster pride.<br /><br /><br /><center><a href="http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=15/01/26/382.jpg"><img border="0" src="http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/15/01/26/s_382.jpg" height="281" style="margin: 5px;" width="187" /></a></center><br />He also took away two of his lady friends and left him with just Bertha, who I'm pretty sure is bigger than Lucky.<br /><br /><br /><center><a href="http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=15/01/26/383.jpg"><img border="0" src="http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/15/01/26/s_383.jpg" height="210" style="margin: 5px;" width="281" /></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href="http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=15/01/26/384.jpg"><img border="0" src="http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/15/01/26/s_384.jpg" height="210" style="margin: 5px;" width="281" /></a></center><br /><br />To say he is outraged, is an understatement.<br /><br /><br /><center><a href="http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=15/01/26/385.jpg"><img border="0" src="http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/15/01/26/s_385.jpg" height="210" style="margin: 5px;" width="281" /></a></center><br /><br />So, yes, it has not been very fun around here. I find it interesting (laughable, maybe?) that this week my Read Through the Bible in a Year reading plan started me in the book of Job. Seriously, it did. Talk about perspective check.<br /><br />So, as I sit here enjoying the last few moments of sunshine and warmth, I won't worry about how I am going to come up 3 meals a day (plus snacks) for my family without breaking the bank eating out and only having a mini-fridge and deep freezer to work with...instead I will enjoy watching two of my kiddos finally getting some time outside to play and pray that this beautiful day and glorious sunshine will be just the medicine they need to kick this yucky cold to the curb.<br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href="http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=15/01/26/386.jpg"><img border="0" src="http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/15/01/26/s_386.jpg" height="281" style="margin: 5px;" width="210" /></a></center><br /><br /><center><a href="http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=15/01/26/387.jpg"><img border="0" src="http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/15/01/26/s_387.jpg" height="281" style="margin: 5px;" width="210" /></a></center><br /><br /><span class="indent" style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; font-family: Trebuchet, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; margin-left: 35px; text-align: justify;"><br /></span><span class="indent" style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; font-family: Trebuchet, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; margin-left: 35px; text-align: justify;"><br /></span><b><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">For the Lord is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations.</span></b><br /><b><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;Psalm 100:5</span></b><br /><br />Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04874196097624413254noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7757255410148772862.post-37679794685812264702015-01-20T22:22:00.000-08:002015-04-09T22:36:16.584-07:00"...Tomorrow Will Worry About Itself."<span style="font-size: large;">This blog has moved to chroniclesofakeeper.com</span><br /><br />I am a worrier. If you aren't worried about something, believe me I can find something that you should be worrying about. It isn't a trait I'm proud of and it is certainly one I am working on overcoming. When I was pregnant with my first child, I remember thinking - <i>I can't wait...once I have my baby it will be easier. I won't worry as much, because he will be here with me</i>. So naive. <br /><br />Motherhood, has only raised my worrying tendencies to a whole new level. I worry about all kinds of things. <i>Will my child be left-handed or right-handed? Will that cowlick always be there? Will they enjoy reading as much as I do? Will they text while driving? Are they going to randomly contract salmonella? Am I too strict/overprotective? Are they getting balanced enough meals? Am I going to fail completely at parenting?</i><br /><br />So, the good news is, since becoming a mother my reasons to worry have tripled...but...my God is greater than all these things. I have learned to cling to verses like these - "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:6-7. Daily, I cling to the promise that His peace will guard this mother's heart and mind. <br /><br />I find unbelievable assurance that my children are not really mine, they belong God. I know that He loves them and cares for them more than I ever could...and that is a lot, because I'm pretty crazy about them. Just knowing that my littles were known and loved by God before they were even a thought in this world, is absolutely amazing. "For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth. <b>Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them</b>." Psalm 139:13-16<br /><br />As far as failing. I find it reassuring to know that I will fail at times...but it is in those times I will have the best opportunity to point my children to Jesus. Giving them the perception that I am perfect and that I don't make mistakes would not only be false, but takes away from The Gospel message. My children need to see me fail...they need to see me cling to Jesus and die to myself daily. They need to see the goodness of God's grace lived out in my life. So, knowing that, well, it helps me worry a little less. <br /><br /><br /><br /><center><i><i><a href="http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=15/01/20/1073.jpg"><img border="0" src="http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/15/01/20/s_1073.jpg" height="281" style="margin: 5px;" width="187" /></a></i></i></center><i><i><br />- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad</i></i>Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04874196097624413254noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7757255410148772862.post-75943366911326723712015-01-17T18:37:00.001-08:002015-01-17T18:43:20.549-08:00A Winter Warm-UpToday we enjoyed an unusually warm day in January. After the below freezing temps from the last couple weeks, today was more than welcome. We decided to take advantage of this warm day with a little day trip to the Wichita mountains. <br /><br />Lil' Man was excited to go on this mountain adventure. He loved driving up Mt. Scott, where he "could see the whole world". Round and round the mountain we drove until we got to the very top.<br /><br />So incredibly beautiful. <br /><br /><center><a href="http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=15/01/17/545.jpg"><img border="0" src="http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/15/01/17/s_545.jpg" height="320" style="margin: 5px;" width="320" /></a></center><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href="http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=15/01/17/546.jpg"><img border="0" src="http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/15/01/17/s_546.jpg" height="320" style="margin: 5px;" width="320" /></a></center><br /><br />Unfortunately, the wind was quite monstrous up there, so, I stayed behind in the car with the two littles. <br /><br />Lil' Man got to take a little hike with daddy, grandpa, and grandma to see more of the mountainous view. <br /><br /><center><a href="http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=15/01/17/547.jpg"><img border="0" src="http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/15/01/17/s_547.jpg" height="281" style="margin: 5px;" width="210" /></a></center><br /><br />I did get out of the van for a quick photo at the look-out point. Can you tell we are about to be BLOWN AWAY???<br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href="http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=15/01/17/548.jpg"><img border="0" src="http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/15/01/17/s_548.jpg" height="320" style="margin: 5px;" width="320" /></a></center><br /><br />Having had enough of the wind, we ventured back down the mountain to visit The Holy City of the Wichitas. A place that is made to replicate Israel during Biblical times. <br /><br />It was not as windy down there, so we all were able to get out and walk around. <br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href="http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=15/01/17/549.jpg"><img border="0" src="http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/15/01/17/s_549.jpg" height="320" style="margin: 5px;" width="320" /></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href="http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=15/01/17/550.jpg"><img border="0" src="http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/15/01/17/s_550.jpg" height="320" style="margin: 5px;" width="320" /></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href="http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=15/01/17/551.jpg"><img border="0" src="http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/15/01/17/s_551.jpg" height="320" style="margin: 5px;" width="320" /></a></center><br /><br />Still, the wind was triumphant. We loaded up after a quick walk around the city to head toward a "wind free" zone. The visitor center. <br /><br />A fun little place with some hands-on activities for the kiddos.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href="http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=15/01/17/552.jpg"><img border="0" src="http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/15/01/17/s_552.jpg" height="320" style="margin: 5px;" width="320" /></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href="http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=15/01/17/553.jpg"><img border="0" src="http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/15/01/17/s_553.jpg" height="240" style="margin: 5px;" width="281" /></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href="http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=15/01/17/554.jpg"><img border="0" src="http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/15/01/17/s_554.jpg" height="320" style="margin: 5px;" width="320" /></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href="http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=15/01/17/555.jpg"><img border="0" src="http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/15/01/17/s_555.jpg" height="320" style="margin: 5px;" width="320" /></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href="http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=15/01/17/556.jpg"><img border="0" src="http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/15/01/17/s_556.jpg" height="281" style="margin: 5px;" width="210" /></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href="http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=15/01/17/557.jpg"><img border="0" src="http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/15/01/17/s_557.jpg" height="320" style="margin: 5px;" width="320" /></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href="http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=15/01/17/558.jpg"><img border="0" src="http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/15/01/17/s_558.jpg" height="281" style="margin: 5px;" width="210" /></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href="http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=15/01/17/559.jpg"><img border="0" src="http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/15/01/17/s_559.jpg" height="281" style="margin: 5px;" width="210" /></a></center><br /><br />Such a fun little day trip that was going perfectly. Until now. The cute little guy in the picture above...well, he found this to be an opportune moment to explode through his diaper. <br /><br />So, off to the "family restroom" I went...to practically bathe my child and throw away a brand new onesie. The most awesome part? I finally get him all cleaned up and was reaching for the fresh new diaper to put on him, when...yes, you guessed it - there was more. Like yellow golden lava spewing from a volcano...with no diaper to catch it. I wanted to cry. I also may or may not have snapped at whoever kept banging on the bathroom door. <i>Really, who keeps banging on a bathroom door when someone says, "just a moment"???</i><br /><br />So, another wash down and new outfit later, we emerge. I apologized to the poor lady with her baby who walked in the bathroom after us. I hope her baby changing experience was less catastrophic as mine. <br /><br />We ended our day at a place I have been wanting to try for a long time...<br />Meers Store and Restaurant, home of the "Best Burger in Oklahoma".<br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href="http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=15/01/17/560.jpg"><img border="0" src="http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/15/01/17/s_560.jpg" height="281" style="margin: 5px;" width="210" /></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href="http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=15/01/17/561.jpg"><img border="0" src="http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/15/01/17/s_561.jpg" height="281" style="margin: 5px;" width="210" /></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href="http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=15/01/17/562.jpg"><img border="0" src="http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/15/01/17/s_562.jpg" height="281" style="margin: 5px;" width="210" /></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href="http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=15/01/17/563.jpg"><img border="0" src="http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/15/01/17/s_563.jpg" height="210" style="margin: 5px;" width="281" /></a></center><br /><br />I was way too excited to eat this burger...which is one of the best burgers I have ever eaten. <br /><br /><center><a href="http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=15/01/17/564.jpg"><img border="0" src="http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/15/01/17/s_564.jpg" height="210" style="margin: 5px;" width="281" /></a></center><br /><br />What a fun little day. <br /><br />Posted using BlogPress from my iPadMelissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04874196097624413254noreply@blogger.com0